Busy weekend for Burry Port RNLI with multiple taskings

On Friday 11 July, crews responded to four separate incidents within just two hours, with further taskings continuing across the weekend.

Jared Phillips, Helm at Burry Port RNLI, says:

‘This weekend has demonstrated how vital it is for the RNLI to remain ready 24/7. Our volunteer crews train extensively to respond quickly and professionally to those in difficulty, working closely with HM Coastguard and other emergency services to help keep our coastline safe.

‘We encourage everyone to always check tide times, carry the correct safety equipment, and dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard if you find yourself, or see anyone in trouble at sea.’

The first call on Friday came at 6.02pm, when HM Coastguard tasked the RNLI to reports of three people cut off by the tide near the old Pembrey Harbour. The relief D class lifeboat Mark Lott launched and searched the area thoroughly, with the Coastguard later confirming all three individuals had made it ashore safely.

The RNLI crew were tasked again at 6.21pm to assist fishermen, whose vehicle and trailer had become stuck in the sand as the tide rose. The Atlantic 85 lifeboat The Misses Barrie launched immediately to ensure no one remained inside the vehicle. On arrival, all three individuals were confirmed safe aboard their fishing vessel. The lifeboat briefly returned to station to collect a coloured buoy to mark the submerged vehicle for navigational safety.

While en route to deploy the buoy at 6.50pm, the crew were redirected to assist a person spotted in the water within Burry Port Harbour. The individual was recovered swiftly by the RNLI crew and handed over to the Coastguard Rescue Team for assessment, before the lifeboat resumed its original task of marking the submerged vehicle.

The fourth tasking came as the crew returned to station, with the Coastguard requesting assistance for a fishing vessel experiencing mechanical issues approximately one mile south of Burry Port Harbour. The lifeboat crew located the vessel and, after confirming the fault had been resolved, escorted it safely to its mooring.

On Saturday 12 July at 3.27pm, Burry Port RNLI received a request from HM Coastguard to search for a missing 12-year-old last seen on the beach, west of Burry Port Lighthouse. The station’s relief D class launched and was on scene by 3.45pm, where crew located the young girl and walked her safely back to her waiting parents.

Sunday 13 July saw further taskings. At 11.56am the Atlantic 85 lifeboat was requested to launch to reports of two kayakers drifting approximately one mile west of Rhossili Beach. On arrival, both casualties were found safe and well with all appropriate safety equipment in place, and the lifeboat was stood down.

Later at 3.36pm, a direct launch was requested for a report of one person swimming ashore and another clinging to an inflatable approximately one mile off Rhossili Beach. Tenby RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat was also tasked. The Atlantic 85 launched immediately with crew already on station, and the D class lifeboat was additionally requested.

Before arrival, the Coastguard confirmed that a kayak and vessel in the area had recovered the casualty with the inflatable, and the second person had made it ashore and was with Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Team. All assets were stood down.

At 7.30pm, crew were paged to assist a broken-down jet ski between Monument Coastal Path and Llanelli Beach. Due to the jet ski having no means of navigating to a place of safety, and with it being a risk to navigation for other vessels and water users, a decision was made for the D class lifeboat to tow the jet ski back to the slipway.

Later that evening between 7.30pm – 8.30pm both lifeboats were involved in a further two shouts involving fishing vessels needing assistance.

Then at 8.34pm, the D class lifeboat was tasked to reports of four people possibly cut off by the tide one to two miles west of North Dock, Llanelli. On arrival, the crew located a blue object in the water but confirmed with the first informant that the four individuals had made it ashore safely. No further assistance was required, and the lifeboat returned to station.

In addition to lifeboat launches, on Sunday afternoon shore crew responded swiftly when a woman holding her dog was washed off her feet by the incoming tide near rocks. With both lifeboats attending incidents at sea, four RNLI volunteer shore crew members entered the water to support the woman and prevent her being pushed onto rocks. They brought both her and her dog back to safety, highlighting the dedication and courage RNLI volunteers show every day.

Notes to editors

• Burry Port RNLI has now launched 45 times in 2025 so far.
• RNLI crews remain on call 24/7, ready to respond at a moment’s notice.
• For more information on the RNLI and its work saving lives at sea, visit RNLI.org.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact D. John Massocchi, Burry Port Lifeboat Press Officer on [email protected]

Alternatively, you can contact Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on [email protected] or 07977 728315, or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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