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Port Talbot RNLI divert from training to assist a vessel in distress

Lifeboats News Release

On Sunday (7 July) on a sunny, clear but blustery day, RNLI volunteer crew were busy with their planned training exercise when they were diverted to investigate a boat after spotting it was in distress.

Port Talbot RNLI Launching on exercise prior to being diverted.

Kirstee David

Port Talbot RNLI Launching on exercise prior to being diverted.

Part of the volunteer crew's training is always to be aware of other vessels in their operational area, even when conducting training.

These skills learned by all RNLI crews, meant Port Talbot's ever vigilant lifeboat crew spotted a vessel in difficulty whist out on their training exercise that was being towed by another vessel.

Rules of the sea state that any vessel seeing another vessel in difficulties should report the incident via a means of communication (either VHF radio or mobile phone) to HM Coastguard. The crew with a highly experienced Helm Dai Jones in charge, complied with this rule and after spotting the towing vessel was struggling against the fast ebbing tide and freshening onshore wind, requested permission to further investigate whether any assistance was required.

The Coastguard confirmed the tasking and Port Talbot RNLI inshore lifeboat Craig Morris, diverted from recovery training to investigate.

Arriving on scene and assessing the situation, a discussion took place with the towing vessel skipper who confirmed that he was happy to continue to tow the casualty vessel to the nearest port of safety. So the RNLI lifeboat crew decided the safest option was to provide safety cover and escort the towing and casualty vessels back to their destination.

The lifeboat crew were aware that the tide was ebbing fast and that very soon there would not be sufficient water for the casualty vessel to safely gain access to its mooring without some complex manoeuvring.

The manoeuvre required setting up an alongside tow which uses a system of tow ropes to allow the lifeboat to be precisely controlled and manoeuvred into tight locations, something the lifeboat crew train for.

On explaining what would be required to gain safe access to the casualty mooring and with the tide dropping by the second, the tow vessel requested that our lifeboat take over the tow realising that time was of the essence.

Swiftly our well trained crew, who had also been practising this very manoeuvrer earlier, rapidly took control, skilfully placing the casualty vessel on its mooring with only time to check the casualties well being and means to get ashore before hastily having to leave the scene or risk grounding themselves.

Helm Dai Jones said: 'The tow vessel did exactly the right thing in going to the aid of the casualty vessel and then realising their own limits in requesting the assistance of the lifeboat when time was of the essences. It was great to so quickly put our many hours training into practice enabling both vessels to get safely into port'.

Port Talbot RNLI inshore lifeboat was recovered, refuelled and made ready for service.

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 Launching on exercise

Kirstee David

Port Talbot RNLI Launching on exercise
Port Talbot RNLI recovery after training and being diverted to a tasking

Kirstee David

Port Talbot RNLI recovery after training and being diverted to a tasking
Port Talbot RNLI recovery after training and being diverted to a tasking

RNLI/Ceri Jeffreys

Port Talbot RNLI recovery after training and being diverted to a tasking
Port Talbot RNLI recovery after training and being diverted to a tasking

RNLI/Ceri Jeffreys

Port Talbot RNLI recovery after training and being diverted to a tasking

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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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.