Difficult conditions for Burry Port RNLI crews
Lifeboats News Release
Burry Port RNLI launched both lifeboats yesterday evening to assist a grounded 26ft yacht at Tywyn Point, at the western end of Cefn Sidan Beach.
Pagers bleeped into action at 7.28pm, with a request to launch both the Burry Port lifeboats, to assist an earlier grounded vessel, at the extreme end of Cefn Sidan Beach.
Tide and weather conditions made for a difficult passage, a rising tide and westerly force 4 winds which had whipped up a heavy swell and surf conditions. Tenby all-weather lifeboat had been tasked, but could not get close enough to the vessel, and local Coastguard teams were on shore, monitoring the situation.
The Atlantic 75 Leicester Challenge II'helmed by Darren Sheppard, and the D Class Inshore lifeboat, Diane Hilary'helmed by Paul Mitchell were quickly launched and crewed by Lee Fox , Richard Parsons,Darren Caines, Osian Bowen and Paul Stewart made their way to the casualty vessel, and the Atlantic 75 towed the vessel to safety at Ferryside.
Tenby all-weather lifeboat stayed on scene for safety cover, but were then tasked to a yacht in difficulty off Burry Holmes, returned to the area and were again tasked to Tenby to assist swimmers in the water.
Both Burry Port lifeboats made the return journey together in the difficult conditions, closely monitored along the route by the local Coastguard teams.
An anxious wait at the boathouse as the operating area is a radio blackspot for the shore crew, but were kept informed of progress by some fishermen and the Coastguard teams.
Roger Bowen, Lifeboat Operations Manager commented ' a difficult evening for all concerned, but the teamwork and training hours were really put to the test, and gave the whole team a really positive outcome.'
Both lifeboats arrived back in Burry Port at just after 10 pm.
RNLI media contact
For more information contact Alun Wells, Burry Port Lifeboat Press Officer on 07929 783239.
Key facts about the RNLI
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.
The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland
