Port Talbot RNLI assists pleasure craft near the River Neath
Port Talbot RNLI assists pleasure craft near the River Neath
Lifeboats News Release
Last night (Sunday 23 August) at 10.05pm, Port Talbot Lifeboat was launched by HM Coastguard following a request to assist a 8m pleasure craft with one person onboard.
The vessel had suffered engine damage and was unable to maintain headway, leaving the skipper with limited options as the tide continued to rise. The lifeboat crew quickly assembled and launched, making best speed towards the casualty.
On arrival, the crew found the vessel in shallow water and at risk of running aground. A crew member was placed aboard the pleasure craft, where checks were carried out to establish whether the vessel had suffered any damage or water ingress. Thankfully, no water was found.
With the vessel now lying in the centre of a shipping lane, without propulsion and with the rising tide increasing the risk, the decision was made by the Helm to establish a tow.
The pleasure craft was safely towed to Swansea Marina, where it was placed onto a holding buoy. The person on board was then safely landed on the jetty. Port Talbot Lifeboat was subsequently stood down and returned to station, where the crew made the lifeboat ready for the next service call.
Helm Carl Mathews Said:
‘The skipper of the vessel did everything correctly. He had the relevant safety equipment and means of communication on board. Knowing that he was unable to resolve the problem himself, he contacted the Coastguard and requested assistance.’
Launch Authority Chris Thomas Said:
‘Our crew train for eventualities like this. They worked together as a team, resulting in a successful rescue of both the person and the vessel. This service call is a good reminder that things can go wrong at sea, even when you are well prepared. Before heading out, make sure your vessel is suitable for the conditions, your engine and equipment have been checked, and you have the appropriate safety equipment and a reliable means of communication.
‘If you get into difficulty, don’t wait until the situation becomes critical. If you are in an emergency at sea or on the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’
For more
information please contact Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, RNLI
Regional Communications Manager, on [email protected] or 07977 728 315 or alternatively
you can contact the RNLI Press Office on [email protected] or 01202
336789.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
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