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Double first shout for two Fishguard RNLI volunteers

Lifeboats News Release

Two Fishguard RNLI volunteers experienced their first service launch as a small motor vessel lost propulsion.

Volunteer Launch Authority Cathy (R) and volunteer ILB crew Rhodri (L)

RNLI/Gemma Gill

Volunteer Launch Authority Cathy (R) and volunteer ILB crew Rhodri (L)

The volunteer crew were paged at 2:35pm on Saturday 1 February, with the request from HM Coastguard to launch the charity's D class inshore lifeboat Edward Arthur Richardson. The tasking was to assist a small rigid inflatable boat (RIB) which was experiencing loss of propulsion and being pushed towards the North breakwater by the prevailing winds.

With the casualty vessel visible within a few hundred metres of the station the volunteer crew launched and were almost immediately alongside the vessel. A risk assessment was made, and it was determined the safest course of action would be to tow the vessel to shore, removing the casualties to safety and preventing the vessel itself from becoming a hazard to other vessels in the port, including the all-weather lifeboat. An alongside tow was established and the vessel was assisted into the pen adjacent to the lifeboat station.

Whilst it was one of the shortest and closest launches for Fishguard RNLI, it allowed two station volunteers to get the experience of their first service launch.

Cathy who joined the crew last year and passed out as a Launch Authority, while having already completed some uneventful periods on duty, this time experienced her first tasking request for a launch.

Launch authorities are the first point of contact for HM Coastguard when a lifeboat is requested, and will authorise the launch, brief the helm or coxswain on the situation and will gather information to provide a report back to RNLI headquarters in Poole, Dorset.

It was also the first service launch for trainee Inshore Lifeboat Crew Member ,Rhodri Pugh-Dungey, who also joined last year and on completion of training requirements to be safe to go on service - was issued with his pager and has been waiting for that first shout.

Only a few hours before, Rhodri, amongst other volunteers had been out training, practicing the skills which would be put to use for real later that day.

Rhodri said:

‘Having your pager go off for the first time definitely gets the adrenaline flowing as you have no idea what you are going to be faced with. Thankfully, all of the training provided by the RNLI had thoroughly prepared me for the situation we encountered. Fortunately we were able to assist the casualty vessel and both crew members, bringing them back to safety.

'The crew on-board were experienced and had the correct equipment including lifejackets and had a handheld VHF to request assistance.

'I would highly recommend that other members of the community reach out to the station if they wish to volunteer, providing a service to the public is a very rewarding feeling.’

Notes to editor:

  • The attached image (Photo 1) shows volunteer Launch Authority Cathy (R) and ILB crew member Rhodri (L). (Saturday 1 February 2025) Photo credit: RNLI/Gemma Gill
  • The attached image (Photo 2) shows Fishguard ILB alongside the casualty vessel. (Saturday 1 February 2025) Photo credit: RNLI/Cedwyn Rogers

RNLI Media Contacts

For more information please contact Cedwyn Rogers, Lifeboat Press Officer on [email protected] or RNLI Regional Communications Manager Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith on [email protected] / 07977 728 315 or Regional Communications Lead Danielle Rush on [email protected] or 07786 668 829

For out of hours enquiries please contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336 789.

Fishguard ILB alongside the casualty vessel

RNLI/Cedwyn Rogers

Fishguard ILB alongside the casualty vessel.

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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