Busy 27 hours for Fishguard RNLI lifeboat crew

The volunteer crew have had a busy 27 hours as lifeboats launched three times in less than two days.

The first request came at 11.30am on Friday 26 June to launch the charity’s Trent class all weather lifeboat (ALB) Blue Peter VII to assist 2 persons on-board a 75ft yacht near Porthgain with initial information suggesting that the yacht had been dismasted. As the lifeboat was sailing out of the harbour they were informed that whilst the mast was damaged the crew had managed to stabilise it, and that it was coming into Fishguard under its own power. With this update the lifeboat was stood down and returned to station.

The pagers rang out a second time at 6.05pm with another request to launch the ALB, this time to a mayday call from a small aircraft which had ditched into the sea 10 nautical miles north west of Cemaes Head in Cardigan Bay. The two persons on-board were reported to be in the water. New Quay RNLI Shannon class ALB was also launched, along with Cardigan RNLI B class inshore lifeboat (ILB) and a coastguard helicopter from Caernarfon.

The helicopter was first to arrive on scene followed closely by Cardigan who together located the aircraft and casualties and were in the process of recovering them from the water when Fishguard and New Quay ALBs arrived. Following casualty assessment they were transferred to the lifeboat from New Quay to receive further treatment and transported to shore. During this time Fishguard lifeboat stood by the semi submerged aircraft awaiting further instruction, until, with no further assistance required was stood down and made its way back to station.

For the third time, the volunteer crew were paged at 2.01pm on Saturday 27 June, this time to launch to the assistance of two paddle boarders in the water, without any personal floatation device and in need of assistance. The ALB again launched and made its way to the location near the Witch’s Cauldron along with a coastguard helicopter. Once on scene it was apparent the casualties had managed to recover themselves from the water onto rocks. In the circumstances the coastguard helicopter was the most suitable asset available to provide assistance and the casualties were winched from the rocks to a place of safety.

The two days were particularly eventful for some of our newer crew, with crew members Ellie Meopham, who recently received her pager, and Simeon Macleod getting to go afloat for their first service launches. Crew member Alfie Bean having had his first ILB shout earlier in the year, also went afloat for his first ALB service.

Fishguard RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Cedwyn Rogers said:

‘The frequency and nature of shouts is wholly unpredictable, put aircraft into the mix and it shows that our crews have to be ready to respond to any scenario when that pager goes off. It’s a rare event that we see this number of launches in such a short space of time, but these are the moments for which our crew members commit so much time to train for, and for some newer ones, for something like an aircraft with so many unknowns, for that to be a first shout is something quite memorable.’

‘With the popularity of stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) increasing, and becoming more affordable, the number of incidents in which they are involved has also increased. We would like to take the opportunity to remind anyone who owns one, or is considering buying one to ensure they also have the recommended safety equipment, including a buoyancy aid and means of calling for assistance. This can be either a personal VHF radio, or mobile phone stored in a waterproof pouch.

A suitable leash is also recommended so that you do not become parted from your board, and we also recommend marking them with your name and contact details. This allows us to identify the owner quickly, ascertain whether they are safe and reduce false alarms if they are located unattended.

Please also be mindful of weather conditions when considering going afloat. Having a smooth flat surface, paddleboards have little water resistance, and anyone on top can act as a sail, which with an offshore wind can very quickly push you away from shore.’

Notes to editor:

· The attached image (Photo 1) shows Fishguard lifeboat Blue Peter VII with the aircraft. (26 June 2026) Image credit: RNLI/Cedwyn Rogers

· The attached image (Photo 2) shows Fishguard crew searching for the aircraft (26 June2026) Image credit: RNLI/Cedwyn Rogers

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Cedwyn Rogers, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Wales & West, [email protected]

Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Wales, West of England and Isle of Man, 07977 728 315, [email protected]

Danielle Rush, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Wales, West of England and Isle of Man, 07786 668829, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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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