St Davids RNLI launch to local fishing vessel on the rocks

All-weather lifeboat Norah Wortley and her volunteer crew launched and found the boat already up against rocks one mile north of St Davids head. Fishguard RNLI inshore lifeboat was also requested to launch but stood down once St Davids lifeboat arrived on scene. A search and rescue helicopter was also requested by HM Coastguard.

Following an assessment of the situation, the coxswain determined the only way to free the powerless boat from the rocks, and ensure the safety of the crew, was to use a bow tow.

Once the fishing vessel was free from the rocks, the coxswain changed to a stern tow, towing the stricken boat back to Porthgain. The search and rescue helicopter was stood down as no further action required.

Due to water depth within the harbour restricting the lifeboats access, a local fishing boat towed the casualty vessel to its mooring. Coastguard Rescue Teams from St Davids and Fishguard were harbour side to assess the crew.

With the fishing boat safely moored, and both crew safe and well, the charity’s lifeboat returned to station at 4.15pm.

Mike Phillips, deputy RNLI Coxswain for St Davids RNLI lifeboat, said: ‘It’s not often we have to deploy both a bow and stern tow in rescue conditions to the same boat but our training paid off. This training would not be possible without the generous donations made by our supporters”.

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For more information please telephone Simone Eade, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07799 804 922 or [email protected] or Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on 07977 728 315 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 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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