First shout for Fishguard RNLI volunteer as training turns to service
A routine training night for volunteers quickly took a turn when arriving for an exercise became a launch to rescue two children.
Volunteers for Fishguard RNLI were gathering at the station for their weekly training session when the tasking request came through to the duty launch authority.
Shortly after at 6.51pm the crew were paged to launch the charity's D class inshore lifeboat
Edward Arthur Richardson to a report of two 13 year old children cut off by the tide near Lampit, opposite the end of Lower Town Quay.
The children had managed to summon attention by shouting to people on the quay, who then made contact with HM Coastguard and further assisted by using their vehicle headlights to shine light on the area.
Once afloat the lifeboat made best speed to the area and quickly located the two casualties on the rocks approximately two metres above the water’s edge. The helm carried out an assessment on access to the area and whether the lifeboat could extract the casualties, or if further assistance was needed from coastguard cliff teams.
With calm water and sufficient depth it was determined the best course of action would be to put the bow of the lifeboat up against the exposed rock and for crew members to go ashore over the bow whilst the helm held in position. Two crew went ashore to assess the casualties’ wellbeing and fit them with lifejackets, whilst a third assisted in using the lifeboat’s searchlight to illuminate the area.
Fitted with lifejackets the casualties were slowly assisted down from their location, across rocks and seaweed and into the lifeboat. Once onboard they were taken the short distance to a slip at Lower Town Quay to a waiting coastguard team and transferred into their care.
This was the first service launch of the year for Fishguard RNLI, and what also made it significant was that having recently received his pager, volunteer crew member Alfie Bean was able to participate in his first shout.
Volunteer inshore lifeboat Helm, Bryn Smith, said:
"The rock around the casualties was uneven and slippery, and the difficulties this presented were compounded by the darkness. The children did the right thing by staying where they were and away from the water. Their calm, clear thinking and actions alerted people nearby that they needed assistance. Had they tried to find their own way out there was a possibility of injury caused by a slip or fall."
"We would like to take the opportunity to remind everyone visiting the coast to always ensure they have a means of calling for help and that someone knows where you are and what time you intend to return. Should anyone find themselves in a similar situation try to remain calm, make efforts to summon attention and do not enter the water."
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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