A busy start to 2018 at Burry Port RNLI

On January 4 Deputy Launching Authority Steve Williams noticed a boat or vehicle on the sandbanks between Burry Port and Llanelli, which initially saw the Burry Port Coastguard Rescue Team investigating.

With the tide rising quickly, and the darkness falling quickly, the Burry Port RNLI B class lifeboat Leicester Challenge II was launched to search, and then the D class lifeboat Diane Hilary was called in to assist in the increased search area. Nothing was found so both lifeboats were returned to the boathouse at around 8pm.

On Sunday January 7 at around 3.30pm The D class Diane Hilary was tasked to assist three casualties on the sandbanks at Pwll Bay.

With a rising tide, the casualties were recovered and returned safely to the boathouse, where they were monitored due to being wet and with an icy wind were very cold.

After warming up in the crew room, the three were collected by relatives and returned home.

Then finally, on January 12 at around 4pm, with reports of a vessel in difficulty near the Old Pembrey Harbour, the D class Diane Hilary was again launched to assist, by which time the 19ft boat was firmly stuck on the sand, the boat was made secure, and a very wet and cold skipper was returned to the boathouse, and was warmed up slowly in the crew room, monitored by the crew.

The Diane Hilary was re-launched on January 13, and towed the vessel back to the safety of the harbour, watched by a very grateful owner.

Lifeboat Operations Manager, Roger Bowen stated ' A busy start to the year, but I'm pleased to see that our volunteer crew members demonstrated their abilities in a very professional manner, and I was extremely proud of their responses'.

RNLI media contacts:

For more information contact Alun Wells, Burry Port Lifeboat Press Officer on 01554 832756 or email [email protected]. Alternatively contact Chris Cousens, RNLI Media Officer, Wales and West, on 01745 585162 / 07748 265496 or email [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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