Double rescue for St Davids RNLI Lifeboat

On Wednesday 27 May, both St Davids RNLI Lifeboats were tasked to assist people in difficulty.

At 3.12pm, St Davids All-Weather Lifeboat (ALB) Norah Wortley was tasked to a yacht in St Brides Bay. The mast snapped and sails were lost during the gusts of the thunderstorm.

The ALB launched at 3.27pm and made its way to the scene. The wind was 3-5 knots with smooth to slight sea conditions and good visibility. As the volunteer crew made their way, they encountered patches of fog and thundery showers.

The volunteers arrived at the scene at 4.00pm, the yacht had lost engine propulsion as well as the damage to the sail. A decision was made to establish a tow and return the yacht to a mooring in Dale.

The ALB arrived and secured the yacht to a securing buoy in Dale, departing to return to station at 7pm. The volunteers arrived back at station at 8pm, with the boat back on service at 8.15pm.

At 5.18pm, whilst the ALB was out on service, St Davids’ inshore lifeboat (ILB) was tasked to a kayaker who had been separated from their kayak.

The ILB crew assembled and launched at 5.35pm, making their way to the south end of Ramsay Sound, off Treginnis Head. The casualty was located on Shoe Rock, the volunteer crew helped him aboard and completed a medical assessment.

The kayaker was equipped with a buoyancy aid and means of calling for help, so was able to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard when they were separated from their kayak.

The kayaker and their craft were safely returned to Porthclais Harbour and the ILB returned to station with the lifeboat back on service at 8pm.

RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Helm, Chris Limbert, said: ‘This rescue was a brilliant example of why it’s so important to always wear a buoyancy aid and carrying a means of contact.

‘If the kayaker had been without a buoyancy aid, they may have struggled to stay afloat and get themselves safely onto the rock.

‘They were also carrying a mobile phone which allowed them to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

‘Our crew of volunteers are on call 24/7 to go to people’s aid. Never be afraid to call for help.’

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Anya Walton, St Davids RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [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.

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