Barry Dock lifeboat volunteers rescue broken down motor boat

The motor boat was en-route from Milford Haven to Cardiff but developed problems with its fuel lines which caused its engine to stall. The crew put down the anchor to prevent to boat drifting and summoned assistance via the coastguard.

Porthcawl’s RNLI volunteer crew were first on scene in their fast RIB Atlantic 85 lifeboat and provided support to the motor boat’s crew until Barry Dock’s all-weather lifeboat arrived a short time later. Barry Dock lifeboat crew set up a tow of the stricken motor boat and she was escorted back to Barry Dock where the motor boat crew were able to undertake repairs enabling her to safely continue her voyage to Cardiff.

Barry Dock Lifeboat Coxswain Martin Bowmer praised the actions of the motor boat’s crew: “They were well prepared and acted promptly and correctly when they got into difficulty. By dropping their anchor they held their position and prevented the boat drifting on the ebb tide toward nearby Nash Sands making it much easier for both Porthcawl and Barry Dock lifeboat crews to render assistance”

Sea and weather conditions were very favourable during the unseasonably warm February weather which helped both volunteer crews establish a safe tow.

Notes to editors

• Barry Dock RNLI lifeboat station has been operating since 1901. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.rnli.org.uk/barrydock
• Photos of the rescue can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/barry.rnli/

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Martin Thomas, Barry Dock Lifeboat Press Officer on 07581 192108 email [email protected] or Eleri Roberts, RNLI Regional Media Officer (Wales and West) on 07771 941390 or 01745 585162. Alternatively contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789.

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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