Port Talbot RNLI tasked three times in one week
Port Talbot RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew were paged this morning (Friday 24 May) at 9am by HM Coastguard to reports of a 5.8m fishing vessel with one person on board in difficulties off the Long Arm Pier.
On a hazy and breezy morning, Port Talbot RNLI volunteer crew assembled quickly despite the rush hour traffic, dropping all plans of getting to work or taking their children to school to launch the inshore lifeboat Craig Morris swiftly and safely for the short journey to the casualty vessel.
Quickly on scene the crew completed a rapid risk assessment noting the close proximity to the entrance of the busy commercial shipping channel to the deep water harbour, the potential navigation hazard that presented, the strengthening onshore wind and the in coming spring tide.
Bearing all this in mind the helm made the decision to take the vessel under tow to the nearest port of safety on the River Afan. The casualty did exactly the right thing in having the means for calling for assistance and early, allowing for a prompt response given their precarious position so close to a busy shipping lane.
This was also the first shout for trainee crew Marshall Dunnion, after completing his shore crew pass out. Marshall 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 me being a competent crew member, so that all of the volunteer crew are ready to save lives at sea 24/7.'
Once safely alongside the River Afan pontoon and another casualties well-being check was complete, the vessel was safely tied up. Port Talbot lifeboat crew returned to their launch site, where the shore crew aided recovery of the lifeboat, which was then refuelled and washed down in readiness for the upcoming Bank Holiday.
Once completed our volunteers were able to return to work and their family duties.
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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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.