Barry Dock RNLI volunteers tasked to run aground yacht during training exercise.

Barry Dock RNLI lifeboat was called to a vessel aground whilst out on training today.

The volunteers were out on a training exercise when they were tasked by Milford Haven coastguard at about 2.35pm to a vessel that had run aground on a sand bank south of Newport. The vessel with three people and a dog on board was high and dry on the middle grounds a sandbank mid channel between Newport and Clevedon.

The RNLI All-weather lifeboat used it's inflatable XP boat to navigate the shallow water to allow the lifeboat crew to get closer to the stricken vessel. The three people and the dog were transferred to the all-weather lifeboat to wait for the incoming tide to refloat the vessel.

With the assistance of a lifeboat from SARA ( Severn Area Rescue Association) the vessel refloated and was towed to Portishead marina . Once at the marina the crew and dog safely transferred back to their vessel.

The Barry Dock Lifeboat was back on its pontoon in Barry harbour just before 8pm this evening.

Notes to editor

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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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