St Davids RNLI’s first shout of 2024 in response to fishing vessel Mayday

A fishing vessel with three people onboard west of Skokholm Island had issued a Mayday call stating that they were on fire.

The charity's lifeboat launched and made best speed to the casualty vessel. Angle RNLI’s Tamar class lifeboat and Coastguard Rescue Helicopter R187 from St Athan had also been tasked. A local range safety vessel and guard vessels working nearby were also proceeding having responded to the Mayday broadcast.

Upon arrival on scene at around 8.30am, St Davids volunteers stood by as Angle RNLI assessed the situation, with the helicopter overhead and ready to carry out an immediate evacuation if required. The fishing vessel had suffered an engine fire due to a burst oil pipe and fortunately the crew had managed to get it under control.

An update was passed to the Coastguard and a plan made to transfer two of Angle lifeboats own fire extinguishers to the fishing vessel as a precaution, before then proceeding to escort the vessel towards Milford Haven.

However after beginning the escort, the fishing vessel reported that its remaining functioning engine was now experiencing issues so a tow with Angle’s lifeboat was established. Once under tow to Milford Haven, St Davids crew were stood down and returned to station, rehousing and ready for service at 10.30 am. Once the fishing vessel had been towed safely to Milford Haven docks, Angle lifeboat returned to station by 12.30pm.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Simone Eade, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07799 804 922 or [email protected] or Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on 07977 728 315 or C_Fitzpatrick-Smit2 @rnli.org.uk or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.