RNLI Port Talbot called to assist one man and his dog
Port Talbot RNLI crew were requested by HM Coastguard to launch the station's D Class lifeboat to a 16-foot pleasure craft taking on water with a man and dog on board.
The vessel had suffered engine failure and was taking on water at Crumlin Burrows off the River Neath.
The casualty initially made an assessment to await sufficient tide when he first got into difficulty as there was no immediate risk. However, he made a call to the Coastguard immediately, when the vessel began taking on water.
The Port Talbot inshore lifeboat launched swiftly through mounting surf conditions, with a freshening north westerly wind.
The volunteer crew made best speed to the location and the helmsman's assessment was to take the pleasure craft in tow. When the tow was established the lifeboat took the casualty vessel to Swansea Marina as there was no water available to take the vessel to its home port on the River Neath.
RNLI Helm James Jennings said:
'The casualty did the right thing in requesting assistance early, he had a handheld VHF, which was extremely helpful as his phone battery went flat. He was equipped with lifejackets for both himself and his dog Bella who was even more over joyed to see the lifeboat thanking each crew member personally with a lick of thanks.'
The casualty later contacted Port Talbot RNLI to express his gratitude. Skipper Callum Bevan said:
'A big thank you to the RNLI Port Talbot crew for getting me home. It's scary how fast things can go wrong at sea and no matter how prepared I was I still needed help, a huge thanks to all the volunteer crew. Please donate if you can.'
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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