Barry Dock RNLI lifeboat launch to 55 foot boat on fire with two people onboard
The volunteers were requested to launch the all-weather lifeboat by Milford Haven Coastguard.
The pilot vessel Bristol Interceptor was first on scene and took the two casualties aboard. The Barry Dock all-weather lifeboat made best speed to the location of both vessels,1.5 miles South of Aberthaw. Once on scene a Barry Dock lifeboat crewmember was transferred to the Pilot vessel and administered casualty care. The crewmember remained on the pilot vessel with the casualties and returned to Barry harbour. The RNLI all-weather lifeboat remained on scene with the burning vessel but unfortunately the vessel sank.
Martin Bowmer Coxswain of Barry Dock Lifeboat said that the two casualties were incredibly lucky and praised them for taking swift and appropriate action: 'This included sending a mayday, deploying their life raft and abandoning the burning vessel with a grab bag that included flares and a hand held VHF radio. Had the vessel not been equip with a life raft the outcome could have been very different. Thankfully the casualties only suffered minor injuries as a result if their ordeal.'
The volunteer crew returned to Barry harbour and prepared the lifeboat for it next 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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