Swift response from The Mumbles RNLI to medical emergency at sea
On Friday afternoon (19 September 2025) at 13.23, as our volunteers crew were getting ready for the weekend, The Mumbles All Weather Lifeboat was paged to assist a large dredger off Scarweather Bank, approximately 10 miles from Mumbles.
A crew member onboard had suffered a medical episode and required urgent help.
The Lifeboat made best speed to the scene, after establishing communications, the Coxswain skillfully brought the Lifeboat alongside the large dredger. Allowing the Lifeboat’s doctor, supported by a casualty-trained crew member, to be transferred aboard to provide immediate care.
Having a fully trained doctor as part of the volunteer crew is a huge asset for Mumbles RNLI. It means advanced medical expertise can be delivered at sea, often long before a casualty reaches professional care onshore.
After an assessment, it was agreed that the safest course of action was to transfer the casualty to the Lifeboat. With unfavourable neap tides meaning the vessel could have faced another hour before reaching land, the transfer ensured the patient was brought ashore without delay.
The Lifeboat with its shallower draught got up the River Tawe and at 14:45 the casualty was handed into the care of the Welsh Ambulance Service at Swansea Marina.
Whilst at Swansea Marina, the Lifeboat refuelled, before returning to its mooring at 17.00, and being made ready for service.
Adam Evans, Deputy Mechanic said:
“The dredger crew did exactly the right thing by recognising the signs of a medical emergency and contacting the Coastguard immediately. Following the doctor’s assessment, we knew a transfer was the safest option. With the neap tides against us, the casualty might otherwise have had to wait another hour to reach shore. Their quick actions, combined with having a seagoing doctor in our volunteer crew, meant the casualty received the best possible care long before reaching hospital.”
RNLI media contact
For more information please contact The Mumbles Lifeboat Press Officer, Adam Gilbert: [email protected] or 07717 793890.
Alternatively, you can contact Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager: [email protected] or 07977 728 315, or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or [email protected].
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.
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.