New Quay RNLI volunteers launch nine times in ten days
In the past week New Quay RNLI has been busy by launching their lifeboats nine times in ten days at the request of HM Coastguard.
New Quay lifeboat station houses two lifeboats and this week saw the relief Mersey class all-weather lifeboat, Keep Fit Association, launch four times and the D-class inshore lifeboat, Audrey LJ, launch five times.
Throughout the week New Quay RNLI’s inshore lifeboat has worked closely with colleagues at HM Coastguard, RNLI lifeguards and Dyfed Powys Police, and has helped paddleboarders and kayakers, whilst the bigger all-weather lifeboat has assisted leisure craft and a commercial fishing vessel.
On Friday 15th July, the all-weather lifeboat launched at 12:00 to assist a yacht 16 miles west of New Quay. Daniel Potter, New Quay RNLI’s Coxswain said, “The skipper had become disorientated following instrument failure and required assistance to reach a safe haven. We took the vessel under tow to Fishguard and safely berthed the vessel in the harbour. We then returned to New Quay and recovered the lifeboat at 17:30.
“Then on Saturday (16th July) we launched the all-weather lifeboat at 08:00 to assist a fishing vessel with six persons on board which had suffered engine failure 27 miles north west of New Quay. We towed the vessel to Aberaeron and took the six persons safely into New Quay at 14:30. Another long day but a great outcome.”
The all-weather lifeboat again launched on service at 16:00 on Tuesday 19th July to assist a commercial fishing vessel with mechanical failure off Ynys Lochtyn, six miles south west of New Quay.
Mr Potter added, “A crew member was transferred to the casualty vessel to assist while the vessel was taken under tow to New Quay. Having put the vessel on mooring in New Quay harbour we then stood by a paddleboarder who was struggling against the offshore wind before returning to station at 17:45.
“It definitely has been a busy week, with crew training continuing in addition to the nine service launches. I would like to thank all the volunteer crew for their hard work."
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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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