Six RNLI lifeboats involved in search following hoax call
Six RNLI lifeboats were involved in a search after Milford Haven Coastguard received a Mayday report of a sinking yacht with three people on board
At approximately 9.30pm yesterday (Monday 3 August), six RNLI lifeboats were involved in a search for a yacht with three people on board that was reportedly sinking.
Barry Dock RNLI was already out on exercise for the first time since the Covid-19 restrictions began when the request was received.
Lifeboats from Penarth, Burnham-on-Sea and Weston Super Mare RNLI launched and the Coastguard helicopter from St Athan was tasked to carry out a combined search of the Flat Holm and Steep Holm area.
With the search well under way the Coastguard team in Milford Haven, stood the operation down after confirming that the initial call was a hoax.
Coxswain Hugh Spud Davies from Barry Dock RNLI said: 'A hoax call like this is a drain on resources and also could have implications if a genuine call for help was received. At a time when fundraising has been affected by the pandemic a hoax call is an unnecessary waste of the money raised by the RNLI.’
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