
St Davids RNLI Launch to Boat on Fire Mayday
St Davids RNLI were tasked to launch to a Mayday call at 5:55am on Sunday 19th January.
A 19 metre long wind farm support vessel with four people on board was on fire 12 miles north west of St Davids head.
St Davids volunteers launched all-weather lifeboat Norah Wortley into darkness and, once on scene, established the fire was under control. The engines were not impacted by the fire but with concerns that the fire might restart, the lifeboat escorted the boat into Fishguard harbour. Awaiting arrival at the harbour were Mid and West Wales fire officers who boarded the vessel to ensure safety.
Once the vessel was secure, St Davids lifeboat was stood down at 9:40am and arrived back on station at 10:40am.
Jane Palin, Duty Launch Authority for St Davids RNLI lifeboat, said: ‘Thankfully the vessels crew managed to contain the fire before our arrival and all persons on board were safe. Escorting the vessel to the safety of Fishguard harbour gave the crew of both boats peace of mind. This was the fourth call out for the station in five days and demonstrates the commitment of our volunteers, whatever the time of year.’
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Simone Eade, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07799 804 922 or [email protected] or Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on 07977 728 315 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
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.