Two Rescued from Rocks at Sker Point by Porthcawl RNLI

Both lifeboats were launched and arrived on scene, two miles north west of the station at 17:50.Conditions were such that there was no natural light and a white parachute flare was fired by the lifeboat crew to assist in the search.

Crew located the outline of a small boat on the rocks with waves washing over it, causing it to roll over on its side. With the Atlantic 85, Rose of the Shires, brought as close as was safe to the casualty vessel crew members Chris Page and Dan Jones left the lifeboat and managed to scramble through the water to locate and confirm that there were two casualties aboard.

With the assistance of the Search and Rescue helicopter which had just arrived on scene minutes earlier both casualties were winched off the vessel due to the unsafe sea conditions and rocky terrain. Lifeboat crew who had given brief first aid checks confirmed that whilst both casualties were exhausted and cold, while one had suffered head injuries. The helicopter was landed at Sker Point whilst further medical attention was administered by the air crew.

Following confirmation that there were no further casualties Mumbles Lifeboat which had also been launched to assist was stood down and returned to station. Meantime Porthcawl lifeboats remained on scene until the helicopter flew one casualty to Morrison Hospital.

With surf conditions on the beach poor and in complete darkness, it was decided that it would be safer for the two Porthcawl crew who had gone ashore to be transported back to the lifeboat station by Porthcawl Coastguard unit.

Lifeboat Operations Manager Phil Missen MBE, said, ‘Both casualties were extremely lucky to have been rescued in the complete darkness and from the notoriously dangerous Sker Point. I dread to think how difficult a search would have been had the casualties not been able to stay with their stricken vessel. Tonight’s rescue was a multi-agency effort where all teams worked together under the UK Coastguard Agency, fortunately with a positive outcome’.

Key facts about the RNLI

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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