Fishguard RNLI lifeboat responds to grounded yacht
Volunteers from Fishguard RNLI were called to the incident at Fishguard lower town quay where a yacht with one person on board was aground.
The information received from HM Coastguard was that there was a 26ft yacht with one person on-board which had broken from its mooring near the quay and was now aground on the seaward side of the quay at Fishguard lower town.
The ILB launched and made best time to the casualty location. Once on scene the helm conducted an assessment of the situation and sea state.
With the tide rising and a northerly wind, the conditions were not favourable and swells coming in from the sea were picking the yacht up, and dropping it back down on the rocks below.
The position of the yacht and weather conditions meant access to assist the solo person on board onto shore was safest being conducted by coastguard personnel who were shore side. They successfully aided the sailor off the unpredictably moving yacht and back up the steps on the quay wall.
With nobody left onboard, the lifeboat was requested to stand by whilst coastguard undertook an assessment of the situation. Whilst awaiting further instruction the helm expertly handled the ILB to keep it facing the conditions to provide best safety for those onboard. Once all members of the public and coastguard were confirmed to be away from the water, the ILB was stood down and returned to station.
Fishguard RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Cedwyn Rogers, said:
‘Fishguard's volunteer crew responded to a request from HM Coastguard to attend a yacht with one person on board that was being pushed onto rocks by the weather. Once on scene, the helm made an assessment and it was determined that given the proximity to the quay, and accessibility of the casualty vessel from shore, the most appropriate way in which to preserve life was for the casualty to be assisted from the yacht by coastguards.
'Once a vessel has grounded, the structural integrity and stability of a vessel is unknown, and to tow it off could compromise that further. In these situations, other means of assisting a casualty will be utilised. With the casualty sailor safe with HM Coastguard and no further persons near the water’s edge, the lifeboat
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]
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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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