Barmouth RNLI crew joined by pod of dolphins on return from call out

Barmouth RNLI volunteers were paged at 4.21 pm on Sunday 3 June 2018 to go to the aid of a boat which had broken down off Sarn Badrig.

In fine weather and calm seas, the all weather lifeboat (ALB) Moira Barrie was launched at 4.25 pm and was with the fishing boat, the Thelma with four people on board, 8 miles west of the causeway buoy. The boat had run out of fuel with less in the reserve tank than the skipper thought. A tow was established and the boat was brought in to harbour where it was made safe on it mooring. The crew were accompanied by a school of dolphins on the way in.

The ALB returned to the boathouse and was ready for service again by 10.40 pm.

Key facts about the RNLI

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.

The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland