A busy day for Angle RNLI lifeboat with 4 shouts leading to over 5 hours at sea

The National Coastwatch Institution at Wooltack Point had eyes on and would direct the lifeboats to the casualties position. Both lifeboats arrived on scene at the same time and located the casualties stranded ashore.

After making two trips in to the cove, the ILB was able to transfer all casualties and their kayaks onto the all-weather lifeboat. The casualties were then taken the short distance to Martins Haven where they recovered ashore.

No sooner had the lifeboat handed over the casualties, the crew were retasked to assist a yacht suffering machinery failure off the Turbot Bank Buoy. The lifeboat began proceeding and located the vessel drifting a mile south of the buoy. After an assessment of the vessel, it was deemed that taking the vessel under tow was the most suitable course of action. A tow was soon rigged and the vessel taken under tow to the Mackerel Stage.

Whilst placing the casualty vessel alongside, a third tasking was received. A 25ft Hardy cabin cruiser off Rudders Boatyard had suffered machinery failure and was drifting on the fast flowing flood tide. In an attempt to prevent hitting any other vessels, the skipper managed to temporarily attach himself to a mooring buoy to stop his drift. The lifeboat proceeded to the area and soon located the vessel.

Whilst assessing the situation the skipper confirmed that he had now restarted the engine but wasn’t confident with its reliability. With concern that the engine may fail again, the vessel was escorted to Neyland Marina and left safely alongside the pontoons. With no further assistance required the crew were stood down and returned to station where the boat was readied for further service by 8.30pm.

At 9.33pm, not long after the crew had returned home following three earlier back to back shouts, the pagers sounded once again. This time to two paddleboarders being blown offshore at Freshwater West. The lifeboat launched and made best speed towards the scene. While en route, the crew received news that the paddleboarders had managed to make their way safely ashore with the casualties confirmed safe, the lifeboat was stood down and returned to station.