Barry Dock RNLI lifeboat called out to a broken down speedboat
The volunteer crew at Barry Dock RNLI were paged at 7.40pm last night (Wednesday) to reports of a speedboat that had run out of fuel and was anchored just off Sully Island.
They launched shortly after and made best speed towards the vessel. The vessel, crewed by four young men from Barry had left Cardiff Bay earlier in the day for a day’s cruising around the Barry and Sully area but had subsequently run out of fuel. After locating the vessel, and confirming that the crew were all safe and well, Barry Dock RNLI lifeboat passed them a tow line and towed them back to Barry Harbour, where one of the Barry Dock RNLI volunteers was able to take one of the crew to buy fuel, and once they were refuelled, they were able to head back towards Cardiff Bay.
Barry Dock RNLI’s new coxswain Martin Bowmer, speaking after his second shout at the station, spoke of the importance of good preparation:
‘Running out of fuel is a very easy mistake to make when you are having fun on a speedboat, but luckily the crew were well kitted out with lifejackets and were able to drop their anchor and avoid any major problems.’
RNLI media contact
For more information please contact Ben Phillips, Barry Dock RNLI, on 07712 816756 or Chris Cousens, RNLI Press Officer, Wales and West, on 07748 265496 or 01745 585162 or by email on [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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