Port Talbot RNLI were task to assist The Mumbles RNLI with a 10m yacht

Volunteers assembled at the station rapidly but safely as their evening plans were interrupted by the sound of the pager. Once assembled the plant operator and shore crew had to negotiate deep crevices gouged out of the beach by the receding surf and tide to safely launch the lifeboat and crew.

Launching through challenging surf with only moonlight to illuminate the oncoming breaking waves. The volunteers of Port Talbot inshore lifeboat Craig Morris, picked their way expertly through the surf line, to the last reported position of the casualty.

As the casualty wasn't certain of their location and with The Mumbles RNLI all-weather lifeboat already on exercise. HM Coastguard decided to divert The Mumbles lifeboat, with its greater search capability, to try and locate the casualty who had reported they were struggling in the challenging sea conditions with no means of propulsion or electrical power.

The Mumbles RNLI volunteers arrived on scene first, but due to the sea conditions, decided to await the arrival of Port Talbot's inshore lifeboat, having decided that the sea condition were too risky to transfer their crew from the all-weather lifeboat to the casualty vessel.

Once on scene the coxswain of the all-weather lifebaot (ALB) had already risk assessed. They'd decided the safest crew transfer option was to place an ALB crew member on to the inshore lifeboat and then onto the casualty vessel.

The inshore lifeboat, with greater manoeuvrability and lower freeboard, made for a swift and safe transfer of crew onto the yacht. Once onboard, a further risk assessment was carried out and a discussion was had on the closest port of safety, bearing in mind the dropping tide. A decision was made between all to tow the vessel to the shelter of Mumbles, securing the vessel safely at anchor.

Once this had been decided, Port Talbot RNLI crew were stood down by HM Coastguard and were able to return to recovery location on Aberavon Beach.

Having seen the tricky beach conditions on launch, the plant operator used the shore crew to enter the water and check for pot holes until a safe location for recovery was found. This technique ensured that the tractor was safe to enter the water, but also the shore crew entering could be confident of their footings in the darkness.

Rachel Thomas, duty Launch Authority said:

'This shout was a good opportunity for our crew to work with our flanking station and their all-weather lifeboat in tricky conditions, maximising the advantages of all RNLI assets to enable the safe rescue of a solo sailor in dark, difficult and choppy conditions.'

Once stood down, the volunteers returned to their Aberavon Beach front where the lifeboat was recovered, refuelled, washed down and made ready for service.

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Port Talbot RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Ceri Jeffreys on [email protected], or Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on [email protected] or 07977 728 315.

Alternatively, you can contact the RNLI Press Office on [email protected] or 01202 336789.

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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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