Multiple assets respond to capsized dinghy in Newport bay
Land, sea and air assets were tasked to respond to the report of an overturned sailing dinghy with two people in the water.
RNLI crews were paged at 12:56pm on Friday 14 July following a report that a sailing dinghy had capsized in strong offshore winds approximately a mile off of Newport Sands. Two casualties were reported to be in the water struggling to right the dinghy while being blown further offshore.
The charity’s Trent class all weather lifeboat Blue Peter VII launched from Fishguard and B-Class Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Albatross launched from Cardigan with both making best speed towards the location, arriving at the same time.
Keeping watch from the shore were teams from HM Coastguard Fishguard and RNLI Lifeguards who provided valuable assistance monitoring the casualty position in order to guide lifeboat crews to their location, whilst a coastguard helicopter also made its way to the scene in case rapid evacuation was needed.
The casualties were quickly located and recovered from the water for medical assessment by Cardigan lifeboat, having been immersed in the sea for some time. The casualties stated that they were well and with no further assistance required the coastguard helicopter which had arrived on scene was stood down.
Following assessment, it was determined that the safest course of action would be to de-rig the sail, right the dinghy and for Cardigan lifeboat to tow the vessel in the shelter provided by Fishguard lifeboat into Newport Sands. When back on shore the casualties and their dinghy were passed to the care of the coastguard and lifeguards.
With the casualties safely ashore, the lifeboats were stood down and returned to their respective stations where they were made ready again for service.
RNLI Fishguard’s Volunteer Launch Authority Barry Trueman said:
“This launch was an excellent example of multi-agency teamwork, with lifeboat crews from Fishguard and Cardigan working together supported by our beach lifeguards as well as coastguard teams on land and in the air.”
“Thankfully today's launch had a positive outcome with the casualties being quickly located, recovered and safely brought back into the beach”
“I’d like to take the opportunity to remind everyone enjoying the water or coast to ensure that they have the correct safety equipment and a means of contacting assistance within easy reach. Anyone finding themselves or others in difficulty should call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”
Notes to Editors:
· The attached photo (Photo1) shows Cardigan ILB Albatross arriving with the casualties as seen from Fishguard’s ALB Blue Peter VII. Photo Credit RNLI Fishguard
· The attached photo (Photo2) shows the righted vessel under tow by Cardigan ILB Albatross on the final leg into the beach. Photo Credit RNLI Fishguard
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The RNLI charity 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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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 142,700 lives.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity 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 142,700 lives.
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