Sinking rib triggers call for Mumbles and Horton Lifeboats

The volunteer crew of the Mumbles and Horton lifeboats were scrambled to the aid of a sinking rib today.

The powerboat with 7 crew on board is thought to have endured heavy seas off Worms head which dislodged one of its flotation chambers and caused the boat to rapidly take on water.

Fortunately for the crew a passing rib 'Sea serpent' was close to hand to take them to shore. Horton lifeboat was launched to assist the skipper in saving the boat. The Mumbles All weather lifeboat was launched to assist with towing the swamped rib back to The Mumbles.

Horton lifeboat transferred the ribs crew to the All Weather lifeboat and Mumbles inshore lifeboat 'The Mark Lott' was launched to assist the rib with returning safely to shore.

Lifeboat coxswain at The Mumbles Martin Double said 'The crew of the rib were unfortunate that heavy seas had caused such immediate damage to the boat but thankfully David Tonge the skipper of the Sea Serpent is a helm on the Horton lifeboat and his rapid assistance made all the difference in ensuring the casualties safety'.

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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