Fishguard RNLI volunteers launch to stricken yacht

Crew were paged at 1.56pm on Wednesday 14 May 2025, to launch the charity’s Fishguard based Trent class all-weather lifeboat Blue Peter VII. The request from the Coastguard was to make way to Poppit Sands to provide assistance to a yacht which had lost all means of steerage whilst en-route to Pwllhelli in North Wales.

Once on scene the crew mechanic engaged with the two persons onboard to establish further detail in relation to the cause of the issue. The owner of the vessel advised that a previous repair to the steering had failed, and on inspection the emergency steering could also not be engaged. With previous knowledge of the issue, the owner informed lifeboat crew that it would not be possible to repair without being lifted out of the water.

With this information, attempts were made on scene to arrange assistance from third party shipping companies, however none were in a position to assist at that time. With no other suitable vessels in the area a risk assessment was conducted. It was determined the safest course of action would be for the lifeboat to take the casualty under tow to the nearest safe accessible harbour. With permission of Fishguard Port, the casualty was brought into Fishguard and taken to the lifeboat’s emergency mooring for the owner to arrange a commercial tow to their preferred harbour with suitable facilities.

Volunteer crew member at Fishguard RNLI, Cedwyn Rogers said:

‘The owners of the yacht were well equipped for their journey and in possession of the right safety equipment including lifejackets and VHF radio. As such they were able to contact the Coastguard when needed who in turn contacted us.’

‘As towing is one of the riskiest procedures that we train for, the decision to tow a casualty isn’t taken lightly and a full assessment of all the options is carried out before a decision is made. On this occasion, having exhausted other options it was determined to be the best course of action.’

RNLI Media Contacts

For more information please contact Cedwyn Rogers, Lifeboat Press Officer on [email protected] or RNLI Regional Communications Manager Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith on [email protected] / 07977 728 315 or Regional Communications Lead Danielle Rush on [email protected] or 07786 668 829

For out of hours enquiries please contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336 789

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.

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