Aground boat with three children aboard rescued by Burry Port RNLI
Burry Port RNLI lifeboat volunteers were requested to launch shortly after noon on Sunday (24 April) and assist a motor vessel which appeared to be aground in the vicinity of the Whitford Lighthouse.
The D-class inshore lifeboat Diane Hilary was launched, crewed by Helm Darren Sheppard, supported by Paul Mitchell, and Darren's son Ben Sheppard, on his first shout as a crew member.
The vessel was quickly located and had the owner and three children on board. It was very close to the lighthouse on a quickly dropping tide.
An attempt to tow the boat to safety was unsuccessful as it was firmly on the rocks, but undamaged.
The two younger children were evacuated to the lifeboat, the casualty boat was turned to make it safe, with the owner and older family member remaining on board until the later incoming tide could assist in refloating.
The two young children were returned by lifeboat to the boathouse and collected by family members.
Then at 5pm the Burry Port RNLi volunteer crews were reassembled and both lifeboats, Diane Hilary and the Atlantic class Leicester Challenge II launched to recover the casualty vessel and return with it to Burry Port at around 7pm.
The boat and both occupants were returned to safety on the shore.
Notes to editors:
The attached pictures show:
Burry Port RNLI volunteers Helm Darren Sheppard, Paul Mitchell and Ben Sheppard
Both Burry Port RNLI lifeboats being launched to recover the aground boat
For further information, please contact Burry Port RNLI Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer Alun Wells on 07929 783239 or Chris Cousens, RNLI Press Officer, Wales and West, on 07748 265496 or 01745 585162 or by email on [email protected].
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The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.
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