Donate now

Barry Dock RNLI lifeboat launch to 55 foot boat on fire with two people onboard

Lifeboats News Release

The volunteers were requested to launch the all-weather lifeboat by Milford Haven Coastguard.

RNLI/Nigel Parry

Barry Dock RNLI volunteers were requested to launch to a 55 foot vessel on fire with two people on board at 10:35pm last tonight (Saturday 30 April). The two people on board had abandoned the vessel and taken to the life raft as the flames engulfed the vessel.

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.

RNLI/Nigel Parry

RNLI/Nigel Parry

RNLI/Nigel Parry

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

Categories