Port Talbot RNLI Lifeboat Aids Stranded Vessel
Port Talbot RNLI lifeboat was tasked after a sixteen foot cruiser ran aground on a mudbank in the River Afan.
Although the tide was out, a 15 foot vessel with two people on board entered the River Afan for recovery at the slipway. However within minutes it had hit a mud bank and become stranded.
The lifeboat was soon on scene but nothing could be done to help the occupants due to low water. After consulting with the coastguard it was decided to stay alongside until the tide came in and then tow the vessel to the slipway. Once the water level started to raise, two lifeboat crew members went aboard the vessel to render assistance with the tow. As the vessel had no power the lifeboat had to tow the vessel off the mud bank by going astern. Once this was done the lifeboat took on a alongside tow and took the vessel up to the slipway for recovery. The lifeboat then returned to station after a long service.
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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