St Davids lifeboat launches twice in 12 hours to boats in distress

The first launch was to a PANPAN distress call from a 42 foot motor cruiser with four people aboard approximately seven miles west of St Davids Head. Launching into a rough and pitch black Ramsey Sound the all-weather lifeboat carefully navigated the shoals and overfalls to arrive alongside the casualty vessel some twenty minutes after launching.

Once alongside it was determined that the twin engine vessel had lost one engine, and the strong flood tide was limiting its speed and progress on its remaining engine. RNLI Norah Wortley decided to standby and escort the vessel into the safety of Milford Haven marina.

Conditions improved with a drop in wind speed and flood tide, and the casualty vessel was left at the marina entrance at approximately 02:30am. The lifeboat was rehoused on station at around 03:30am but winds strengthened overnight and at 10:05am the lifeboat was tasked again to a vessel suffering engine failure off Dinas Head. The vessel with two people on board had deployed its anchor but it was dragging in the force eight wind towards the rocks.

Given the critical nature of the situation, the lifeboat made best speed to Dinas Head, aided by the following wind and tide. RNLI Fishguard also launched their inshore lifeboat into the challenging conditions.

Fortunately the casualties managed to restart their engine and began slowly making their way back to Goodwick, escorted by Fishguard and St Davids lifeboats. Fishguard inshore lifeboat crew worked in extremely challenging conditions to ensure the casualty vessel was safely back onto their trailer. Once the two people on board were in the care of Fishguard Coast Guard rescue team, both lifeboats returned to station. Although a short journey for Fishguard, St Davids had a longer slower passage, with the crew doing its best to utilise any shelter that could be provided by the coastline.

Will Chant, RNLI Coxswain for St Davids RNLI lifeboat, says: ‘This was a busy but successful night for St Davids volunteer crew with rescues in challenging sea conditions. A team effort was required to ensure a safe outcome on the second rescue and our thanks go to RNLI Fishguard and Fishguard Coast Guard rescue team for their assistance.’

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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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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 142,700 lives.

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.

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