The volunteer crew at Barry Dock Lifeboat Station had a very busy 24 hours responding to 4 shouts in 24 hours, with Lisa Mair Jones and Andy Gavan both attending their very first shouts.
RNLI/ILB camera
Barry Dock Lifeguards respond to reports of paddle boarder 'in distress'
The Lifeboat crew were tasked by Milford Haven coastguard at 9:30pm on Friday night to a yacht with engine problems and one person on board. The yacht was taken in tow to Barry harbour and placed on a Barry Yacht Club mooring.
Both RNLI lifeboats were then launched on Saturday morning to reports of a paddle boarder in difficulty near Sully Island. Inshore Lifeboat ‘Frances Corcaden’ was first on the scene, and after a short conversation with the paddle boarder it was quickly decided that the person was not in any danger. It was a false alarm with good intent.
Later in the day, Barry Dock lifeboat crew were also tasked to reports of people on an inflatable kayak in Sully Bay. The inshore lifeboat was launched but after a search of the local area, the kayak was located on the beach and the owners were safe and well.
Both RNLI lifeboats were launched again at 6pm on Saturday evening to a dinghy with 3 people on board to the West of Sully Island. The dinghy had managed to make their way ashore without assistance.
Martin Bowmer, Coxswain at Barry Dock Lifeboat Station said, ‘Everyone going out on the water should wear a buoyancy aid or life-jacket. It is also important to know the weather forecast and the state of the tide, and to carry some form of communication device in case you need help.’
Remember: If you’re planning to go out on the water, please take a flotation device and always wear a life jacket.
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.
