Busy weekend for Port Talbot RNLI
Two call-outs over the weekend kept the lifeboat busy on both Saturday and Sunday.
The lifeboat was first called out on Saturday 28 April at 6.55pm after two young girls and their dog had become stranded on a high mud bank and could not get back to safe ground.
The area is covered in tidal marshland along the edge of the River Neath and can be quite dangerous. The lifeboat was soon on scene but because of the position the girls were in, the lifeboat could not reach them.
Fortunately the Port Talbot Coastguard team were also on scene and had called in Burry Port Coastguard to assist. Using mud rescue equipment the girls were soon brought back to dry land, very cold but none the worse for their adventure. The lifeboat returned to station.
The second call-out was on Sunday 29 April at 12.20pm after an eight metre yacht, with three men on board, ran aground near the Swansea East pier. The lifeboat was soon on scene and one of the crew was able to wade across the mud bank to the yacht. Being high and dry the only option was to wait for the incoming tide to refloat the vessel.
Due to the time involved before the tide came in, a crew change was carried out at the marina half way through the afternoon. When the lifeboat returned to the yacht a tow line was set up. Eventually once the tide was in the yacht was towed to the Monkstone marina in the River Neath and placed onto its berth. The lifeboat then returned to station and was recovered at 5.30pm.
Media Contacts
For further information, please contact Mel Cooper, RNLI press officer at Port Talbot on 07814 985057.
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
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.