The Mumbles RNLI launches to Mayday call on May Bank Holiday
Volunteer crews from The Mumbles RNLI launched both lifeboats at 1.30pm on the May Bank Holiday (May 4th) following a Mayday call from a motor boat taking on water in the Tawe Fairway.
The alarm was raised after the vessel, carrying nine people on board, began suffering water ingress whilst making its way across Swansea Bay.
The volunteer crew of the Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) were first to arrive on scene, quickly assessing the situation and standing by in case an emergency casualty evacuation was needed.
Moments later, the All Weather Lifeboat, Roy Barker IV, arrived on scene and transferred a volunteer crew member aboard the casualty vessel with a salvage pump , all prepared to pump out the water!
Fortunately, the source of the water ingress was identified, and brought under control before the situation worsened.
With all well, the ILB escorted the casualty vessel safely back to the marina, where all persons on board were landed safely.
Allowing both volunteer crews to stand down and return to station, ready for the next shout.
This was the second shout of the Bank Holiday weekend for The Mumbles RNLI, with the Inshore Lifeboat ( ILB )also launching on Sunday morning (May 3rd) to assist in a search operation in Swansea Bay, which concluded successfully.
A Mayday call is the highest level of distress call and should only be made when there is immediate danger to life or a vessel. A Pan Pan call is for urgent situations which are serious but not immediately life threatening. Calling for help early is vital, as it allows HM Coastguard and RNLI crews to respond quickly before a situation worsens.
Adam Evans, Deputy Mechanic at The Mumbles RNLI explained:
“Both calls should be made on VHF Channel 16 by clearly repeating either ‘Mayday’ or ‘Pan Pan’ three times, followed by the vessel name, location, nature of the problem, number of people on board and the assistance required.
“An easy way to remember the information to give is the mnemonic MIRPDANIO: Mayday, Identification, Repeat, Position, Distress, Assistance, Number of people on board, Information and Over
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Adam Gilbert, 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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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