Horton and Port Eynon RNLI Lifeboat in busy time

The weekend started with a night exercise on Friday evening. Due to Covid restrictions this was the first night exercise of the year.

Just after 6pm on Saturday 19 September a concerned family member in Oxwich Bay had reported to coastguards that she had lost sight in the bay, of a small boat containing another family member and two children. The lifeboat was quickly launched and was on its way to Oxwich Bay when further information was received that the boat was back at shore and all were well. The lifeboat returned to station.

Almost two hours later, shortly before 8pm the lifeboat was again launched after a fisherman had contacted the Coastguard informing them that he was cut off by the tide on Port Eynon Point. He was concerned as the tide was still rising. The lifeboat made its way to the Point where the crew located the fisherman. He was waving his torch to indicate his position. The fisherman was taken back to shore in Port Eynon and was handed over to the Rhossili Coastguard. The lifeboat and crew then returned to station where it was cleaned (in accordance with Covid procedures) and refuelled ready for any other call outs. The crew on this call out had the opportunity to put into practice the night exercise experience of the previous evening.

Anthony Payne, William Metcalfe, Rachel Hurford, Stuart Payne and Jeremy Littlejohns were members of the volunteer crew who were involved in either or both call outs.

An RNLI spokesman said:

‘If you are cut off by the tide do not attempt to wade to safety. It is extremely dangerous to attempt to do so. The fisherman did the right thing in calling the Coastguard.

The RNLI would remind people when carrying out any activity on or near the coast to let someone know where they are going and when they expect to return. Also to carry with them a means of calling for help if necessary. You should also check the tide times to make sure that you are not cut off by the incoming tide.’

Notes to editor

The below photo shows the lifeboat being launched for the second call out.

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For more information please telephone Brin Hurford, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07968 269 550 or [email protected]

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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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