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Port Talbot RNLI launched after report of a casualty suffering a cardiac arrest

Lifeboats News Release

At 12.09am in the early hours of Saturday 6 July - a particularly dark night with torrential rain and lightening - Port Talbot RNLI volunteer crew were task by HM Coastguard to reports by a first informant that a friend was having a cardiac arrest on Morfa Beach.

Port Talbot RNLI preparing to leave the boat house

RNLI/Ceri Jeffreys

Port Talbot RNLI preparing to leave the boat house

Despite the early hour and inclement weather, crew assembled rapidly at the station and launched safely and promptly into the inky darkness of Aberavon Beach.

The station's inshore lifeboat Craig Morris was directed by HM Coastguard to commence a shore line search from the Long Arm pier Port Talbot to Sker rocks, on the very edge of the stations area of operation.

Additionally tasked were colleagues from Port Talbot, Mumbles, Porthcawl Coastguard units along with Coastguard helicopter 187, which carried out a shore-based search with the helicopter able to bring to bear an array of high tech surveillance equipment to thoroughly scour the search area.

Once our volunteer crew had completed their first search, finding nothing, they were directed by the Coastguard to complete the reciprocal search pattern back to the Long Arm pier. It took over two hours in total.

This was an excellent example of joint working with Coastguard colleagues working as one team to gain the very best outcome.

With all other available assets having completed a very comprehensive search but also finding nothing, a decision was made by the Coastguard to stand down crew. They proceeded back to the launch site to be met by the very welcome sight of our volunteer shore crew and launch vehicle driver.

Port Talbot RNLI Inshore lifeboat was recovered, refuelled and made ready for service, our crew returning to their beds and loved ones.


RNLI media contacts:

For more information please contact Port Talbot RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Ceri Jeffreys on [email protected], or Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on [email protected] or 07977 728 315.

Alternatively, you can contact the RNLI Press Office on [email protected] or 01202 336789.

Port Talbot RNLI preparing to launch

RNLI/Ceri Jeffreys

Port Talbot RNLI preparing to launch
Port Talbot RNLI being assisted in the inky darkness by Coastguard helicopter 187

RNLI/Ceri Jeffreys

Port Talbot RNLI being assisted in the inky darkness by Coastguard helicopter 187
Port Talbot RNLI recovering after their tasking, reflections in the darkness

RNLI/Ceri Jeffreys

Port Talbot RNLI recovering after their tasking reflections in the darkness

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, Twitter 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.

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