A busy Sunday for Aberystwyth RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew

The volunteer crew were tasked by HM Coastguard at approximately 2pm, after the casually vessel declared a mayday as it had full loss of power. The lifeboat crew were on scene within 10 minutes, having only just finished cleaning down their Atlantic 85 lifeboat after the morning’s joint training session.

New Quay RNLI’s Shannon class all-weather lifeboat was also tasked to the casualty vessel, as they were already on the water, making their way back towards New Quay after the morning's joint training.

Once the crew arrived on scene a welfare check was carried out to make sure no one was injured or required any medical attention. After it was confirmed that everyone onboard was in good shape, it was agreed that due to the boat having no means of navigation due to the loss of power and an ebbing tide, the volunteer lifeboat crew would tow the vessel back into the safety of the harbour.

Volunteer Crew Member, Iwan Roberts, had taken part in the training session with New Quay’s lifeboat in the morning, where he and his fellow volunteers were tasked with a fake injured casualty, before carrying out towing practice with the all-weather lifeboat. Speaking after the shout, Iwan said:

‘Today was a clear example of the value of training with our fellow volunteers along the coast, as well as the importance of knowing what to do in a scenario such as this.

‘Having practiced towing regularly on exercises, today we got to put our skills to the test twice, both alongside New Quay’s lifeboat, and then later in a real shout with the casualty vessel.

'We had only just put the lifeboat in the boathouse when we heard the mayday over the radio. Once the Coastguard had confirmed the location of the vessel, we were tasked to go and help.

‘We got there very quickly, even arriving before New Quay, who were already on the water just down the coast. We were happy to have them ready to assist if needed, but within the hour, the casualty vessel was safely in the marina, and we were back at the boathouse.’

By 3pm the lifeboat was back at the station, ready to go on service once more. The crew, many of whom had been at the station since 9am, then promptly left for some well deserved lunch.

Iwan added: ‘We were pleased to assist this casualty and bring them back to safety. They were well prepared with lifejackets and communication devices, which allowed them to call for help once they realised they were in a potentially dangerous situation.

‘Even on the shortest trips you can get caught out, so it pays to be prepared, including carrying the right boat safety kit. Make sure you are wearing a lifejacket or buoyancy aid, have a means of calling for help, have an appropriate anchor that holds, can identify your location and are using a kill cord – where appropriate for your craft.’

• Aberystwyth lifeboat station has been operating since 1861. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: www.rnli.org/Aberystwyth

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For more information contact Billy Swanson, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07507 885 591 or [email protected].

Alternatively you can contact Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on [email protected] or 07977 728 315, 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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