Mumbles lifeboat rescues trapped fisherman at Mumbles Pier
Crew member spots red flares set off
The volunteer crew of the Mumbles lifeboat were called to the aid of a fisherman trapped in his boat under the Mumbles Pier.
‘One of the crew watched the boat launch earlier in the evening and became concerned when he launched in the dark but had no lights on as he left the slipway at Knab Rock.’ Said Tim Conway, Lifeboat operations manager at The Mumbles. ‘The boat suffered engine failure and with a strong Spring tide was quickly swept on to one of the stantions under the pier. He was lucky enough to get a rope onto the pier and set off a couple of flares to call for help. One of our crew spotted the flare and called 999 to alert the coastguard before making for the inshore lifeboat station ready for launch. The boat was on the scene in 5 minutes and the vessel with the fisherman taken in tow back to Knab Rock.
He was lucky to have managed to have caught the pier as the sea off the islands was far too rough for a 14ft fishing boat. We would always advise anyone going to sea to check their boat, the engine and ensure they have a means of communication. A mobile phone, ideally a vhf radio. We would always advise anyone to ensure they have lights when setting out at night.’
For further information go to RNLI.org
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.