Pagers are the alarm clocks for Burry Port RNLI volunteers
Volunteers at Burry Port RNLI woke to a very different alarm clock this morning (Saturday 8 April) as pagers alarmed at 7.20am calling them to action.
The UK Coastguard had requested the launch of the charity's lifeboat to assist a stricken yacht with two persons and their dog, approximately a mile North West of Burry Holms.
The 30ft vessel had been on passage to Tenby when it encountered engine failure and was unable to make its way back to Burry Port against the dropping tide.
The crew promptly assembled at the RNLI station at Burry Port Harbour and swiftly launched the B-class Atlantic 75 lifeboat Leicester Challenge II.
Under the command of Helm Lee Howells with crew members Jared Phillips and Paul Stewart, the charity's lifeboat headed quickly to the casualty vessel.
On a flat calm sea the lifeboat didn't take long to reach the stricken yacht and its owners.
At the scene the volunteers ensured the safety of the persons on board with their dog, before rigging a tow line to the casualty vessel and assisting the vessel by tow back to the safety of Burry Port.
With a dropping tide meaning passage into Burry Port Marina would not be possible, the yacht was safely moored to the yellow safety marker buoy off Burry Port beach, before transferring the casualties and their dog onto the lifeboat for recovery back onto dry land.
The volunteers returned to station with the thankful casualties at 10am.
Notes to editors:
For more information on this morning's call out please contact deputy Lifeboat Press Officer Paul Stewart at [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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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