Port Talbot RNLI tasked to wing foiler who appeared to be in difficulties
Yesterday evening Port Talbot RNLI were recovering at the river Afan at 7.04pm, after attending the Round the Pier swim which was cancelled due to rapidly deteriorating weather conditions.
The volunteer crew had launched from their slipway with the aim of completing an exercise combined with attending the annual Round the Pier swim to support for the event organisers.
While awaiting the start of the swim the crew completed an exercise on man overboard drill, safe use of pyrotechnics and emergency procedures.
Owing to rapid deterioration of sea conditions, the swim organisers made the decision to cancel the event.
A dynamic risk assessment was carried out by Chris Thomas, the duty launch authority and helm, as to the safest place to recover their inshore lifeboat
Chris Morris.
Eagle-eyed volunteer shore crew were awaiting the final recovery decision when they observed a wing foiler who appeared to be struggling to return to shore owing to strong winds and the outgoing spring tide.
Keeping eyes on the wing foiler they informed the local coastguard unit, which was also returning from the event, of their concerns.
Port Talbot Coastguard confirmed concerns for the wing foiler and reported their concerns to HM Coastguard. Their colleagues then paged Port Talbot RNLI inshore lifeboat to relaunch and make best safe speed to last reported position of the wing foiler.
Shore crew kept constant eyes on the wing foiler so they could quickly direct the inshore lifeboat once on scene. At this point, they saw the wing foiler fighting the conditions while seemingly making another attempt to get to shore.
The shore crew watched on as the wing foiler made progress, but the volunteers could see that conditions had the potential to drive them towards the rock armour to the east of the slipway. They tried to direct the wing foiler towards the safety of the slip where they were fully kitted in their personal protective equipment in readiness to assist if required.
Fighting with the conditions, and with fatigue setting in, the wing foiler chose the alternative safety of the sandy beach immediately next to the concrete slip. The shore crew dashed across the concrete hard to offer assistance to the wing foiler to offer a helping hand getting up the sea defences in the wild conditions.
Once the wing foiler was safely ashore and was being assisted by Port Talbot coastguard for further assessment, the inshore lifeboat was stood down as the wing foiler was happy, safe and required no further assistance.
The inshore lifeboat was recovered at the station's alternative launch site on the River Afan, making its way back to the station via the road. Both boat and shore crews refuelled, washed down and made the lifeboat ready for service
On this occasion the outcome was a positive one but the RNLI recommends that all water users check weather forecasts and tidal conditions, as well as wearing appropriate protective equipment and having a means to call for assistance, before entering the water.
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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