Dramatic rescue for Penarth RNLI

Penarth RNLI crews were paged at 9:10am on Saturday morning following a mayday call.  A 15 foot fishing vessel, with two people on board had capsized near Sully Island.  With the two people in the water, crews raced to provide assistance. 

Fortunately other vessels responded to the mayday call and were able to rescue the casualties from the water.  They were subsequently brought back to Penarth RNLI station to be checked over by a waiting ambulance crew.  Both were safe and well.  

The Atlantic B-class lifeboat was relaunched to assist the D class lifeboat with the recovery of the capsized vessel.  The vessel was towed back to Penarth slipway and brought to safety, and made safe by the fire service. 

This really was a multiagency incident - in addition to the RNLI, HM coastguards from Penarth, the Wales Ambulance Service, Rescue Helicopter 187 from St Athan, and the Fire Service attended the incident. 

Lifeboats were made ready for service, all kit cleaned and made ready for service.  The lifeboats were back on service at around 2pm.  For many of the crew the first meal of the day would have been a very late lunch.  The volunteers were so pleased that this shout had such a positive outcome, with thanks to those vessels that responded to the mayday and all the other agencies involved in the incident. 

RNLI media contact
For more information please contact Andy Berry, Lifeboat Press Officer for Penarth RNLI, on 07951 051128, or Chris Cousens, RNLI Press Officer Wales, on 07748 265496 / [email protected].

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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