160 ton trawler rescue by St Davids RNLI

Thursday 8 May 2025

St Davids all-weather lifeboat were requested to assist a 25 metre 160 ton fishing vessel that had lost all propulsion approximately 12 nautical miles north west of Strumble Head on Wednesday 7th May

The image shows a beautiful sunset over the ocean with an orange and pink sky. In the foreground, there is a deck of a boat with safety equipment, including a life preserver and ropes. A tow line extends from this boat to another vessel visible in the distance. — A serene sunset over the ocean as a boat tows another vessel in the distance.

Launching at 6.45pm, the charity’s Tamar class lifeboat arrived upon scene and coxswain and crew initiated a thorough risk assessment of the large vessel unable to move using its own engines.

With favourable sea conditions, no other vessels in the area that could offer a tow and the ongoing navigation hazard posed by the trawler, it was decided the best course of action was to undertake a tow to Fishguard harbour to ensure the safety of the vessel and crew.

A slow tow commenced taking approximately four and a half hours to complete.

Once off the Fishguard harbour breakwater, the trawler was brought into an alongside tow so as to put the vessel against the quay wall at Fishguard. However the alongside tow proved ineffective due to the size of the trawler.

A short astern tow was connected and at slow speeds, and utilising the prevailing conditions, the trawler was successfully placed alongside the quay wall with assistance from some of the Fishguard lifeboat shore crew.

Norah Wortley and volunteer crew left Fishguard harbour at approximately 1 am and rehoused back at St Davids lifeboat station around 2am on Thursday 8th May.

Will Chant, RNLI St Davids Coxswain, said: ‘Due to the size of the trawler, weighing almost 130 ton more than the lifeboat itself, this was a long slow tow that proved demanding when trying to ensure the safe berth at Fishguard harbour. The rescue highlights the tremendous abilities of both the Tamar class lifeboat and our dedicated crew when challenged.’

RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Simone Eade, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07799 804 922 or [email protected] or Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on 07977 728 315 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

A nighttime scene showing a rescue boat and a fishing vessel on the water. The rescue boat, labeled 'RNLI 14-24,' is brightly lit and connected by a rope to the larger fishing vessel, which is also illuminated. The water reflects the lights from both boats. — All-weather lifeboat assists a fishing vessel at night, with both boats illuminated against the dark water.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

160 ton trawler rescue by St Davids RNLI

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