Port Talbot RNLI lifeboat tasked along with Mumbles RNLI to a deflated dinghy
Port Talbot RNLI volunteer crew were paged by HM Coastguard on Sunday 2 June at 3.57pm to reports of partly deflated dinghy with a pair of fishing waders on board positioned, East of the Neath River channel marker buoys.
On a warm clear, sunny Sunday afternoon with a beach full of families enjoying the vast expanses of Aberavon Beach. Port Talbot RNLI volunteer crew assembled quickly dropping whatever their normal Sunday entailed to respond the sound of their pagers. With Mumbles RNLI all-weather lifeboat (ALB) also tasked to provide extra search capability.
With the first informer stood by the location, and providing the Coastguard with the exact position. The first informer did exactly the right thing in reporting their concerns promptly being equipped with electronic navigational aids enabling Mumbles RNLI ALB to immediately commence their search pattern.
Despite the busy beach, Port Talbot RNLI crew were able to launch their inshore lifeboat (ILB) Craig Morris safely and prompting to rendezvous with Mumbles RNLI ALB at the entrance to the River Neath, where they were able to get in close to the craft and make an assessment.
Mumbles RNLI ALB along with the Port Talbot RNLI ILB helm discussed search parameters using their local knowledge they devised a search plan. Mumbles RNLI ALB undertook a large search of the deeper water from the River Neath toward Port Talbot whilst Port Talbot RNLI inshore lifeboat searched inward of the River Neath and then along Crymlyn Burrows beach towards Swansea Docks.
Whilst engaged on their search pattern, HM Coastguard requested the immediate assistance of Port Talbot RNLI ILB to reports of a child adrift on a body board off the West Pier, Swansea Beach side.
Port Talbot RNLI ILB made best speed to the location and once on scene recovered the child who had been blown off shore by the strengthening off shore wind.
Once the child was recovered and safely led ashore to the arms of very grateful parents. HM Coastguard immediately diverted Port Talbot RNLI ILB to assist a further two children again blown off shore on a paddleboard. Again returning the children to the safety of the beach and their concerned parents. Fortunately the prompt response was able to avert a potential tragedy with the potential loss of 3 young lives.
Once all casualties were recovered ashore, the lifeboat recommenced searching with Mumbles RNLI.
Due to the heat and length of service it was decided to complete a crew change with the station's land-rover navigating the busy beach to rendezvous the far end of the beach. Once a further shore line search was completed it was decided by HM Coastguard that the comprehensive and intensive search had covered the search area thoroughly both lifeboats were stood down.
Rachel Thomas, Port Talbot RNLI Launch Authority, said: 'I am very pleased with the outcomes of the service call today with 3 children being rescued. The number of incidences involving inflatable crafts have increased around the coast this weekend with the good weather and changeable wind. Our crew recently undertook a multi vessel search exercise with Mumbles RNLI ALB which aided in today's call out, collaborating with fellow SAR units and flank stations is always a benefit and crew were able to put their hours of training, local knowledge and search skills into practice.'
This was also the first shout for trainee crew Tom Charles, after completing his shore crew pass out. Tom said: 'It was a real experience to put all the excellent training into practice working seamlessly with the much more experienced crew. It showed me the true value of my many hours of committed training that goes into ensuring we are always ready to save lives at sea 24/7.'
Port Talbot RNLI volunteer crew returned the launch site, where the volunteer shore crew aided recovery of our lifeboat, which was then refuelled, washed down and made ready for saving lives 24/7.
Once completed, RNLI volunteers were able to return what was left of their Sunday.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Port Talbot RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Ceri Jeffreys on [email protected], or Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on [email protected] or 07977 728 315.
Alternatively, you can contact the RNLI Press Office on [email protected] or 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.
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