St Davids RNLI were requested to launch three times in 40 hours to assist a survey vessel with engine failure taking on water.
The first request was at 6:28pm on Tuesday 14th January when HM Coastguard requested assistance for the 24.5 metre 100 tonne vessel aground and broadside at Newgale beach. Once all-weather lifeboat Norah Wortley was on scene, St Davids launched the daughter boat to assess the situation in three to five foot surf waves.
Following a request for RNLI salvage pumps, St Davids RNLI Coxswain Will Chant requested the assistance of the Little and Broad Haven D Class lifeboat to assist with pump transfer. Sea conditions ruled out this option so consideration was given to setting up a towline. Due to the size and weight of the stricken vessel, concerns over water ingress and its position on the pebbles, the decision was taken to not compromise the safety of the lifeboats and volunteer crew.
The vessel’s crew were well and able to alight by foot onto the shingle ridge, at which point the lifeboats were stood down and returned to station, withNorah Wortley back readied for service by 8:20pm.
The survey vessel remained was refloated on the high tide on the evening of Wednesday 15th January. At 5:30pm, Little and Broad Haven RNLI were requested to launch their D Class lifeboat to provide water safety cover due to the risks involved in moving the vessel through the surf zone. Volunteers from local Coastguard rescue teams also provided beachside support due to the number of spectators.
At 7:59pm, HM Coastguard requested St Davids launch to assist the vessel taking on water as it tried to make its way to the port of Milford Haven for repairs. The commercial vessel was under tow from a tug and volunteers transferred a salvage pump from the Tamar class lifeboat. At 9:17pm, Angle RNLI were tasked to launch and provide assistance with an additional pump.
Both lifeboats began to escort the vessel in case the seven crew onboard required immediate evacuation. Whilst west of Skomer Island en route to Milford Haven, and in light of the vessel still taking on water, a plan was made to alter course and proceed to Broad Haven with the intention to beach the vessel to prevent it sinking.
The lifeboats then spent the next few hours escorting the tow and providing safety cover. Upon arrival off Broad Haven, and with the tidal state not right to beach the vessel, the lifeboats stood by whilst pumping efforts continued. At 3:15am on Thursday 16th January, with the situation now improving, St Davids Lifeboat was released and arrived back at station by 4:10am. Once the water ingress was under control, Angle Lifeboat was subsequently stood down at 4am after the master confirmed he was content with the vessels condition. Angle volunteer crew arrived back at station at 5:10am.
Just over six hours later at 10:35am, St Davids lifeboat was once again requested to launch to provide a salvage pump and escort the vessel and its crew. Swell and surf waves added to the water ingress. Due to the time required to get the vessel safely into port through the busy shipping lane, a decision was taken to return to the shelter of Goultrop Bay to allow time for the crew to rest before making another attempt on Friday 17th January. The lifeboat returned to station and was rehoused and ready for service at 2:24pm.
On Friday 17th January, with additional salvage pumps, the vessel made it to Pembroke Dock under the supervision of a tug and with no further need for lifeboat support.
Will Chant, RNLI Coxswain for St Davids RNLI lifeboat, said: ‘This was a busy couple of days for our volunteers, with three of our crew launching on all three shouts. Launching into darkness on two of the shouts, the teamwork of all three lifeboat crews helped ensure a safe outcome.'
Multi RNLI Assistance For Stricken Survey Vessel
St Davids RNLI were requested to launch three times in 40 hours to assist a survey vessel with engine failure taking on water.
The first request was at 6:28pm on Tuesday 14th January when HM Coastguard requested assistance for the 24.5 metre 100 tonne vessel aground and broadside at Newgale beach. Once all-weather lifeboat Norah Wortley was on scene, St Davids launched the daughter boat to assess the situation in three to five foot surf waves.
Following a request for RNLI salvage pumps, St Davids RNLI Coxswain Will Chant requested the assistance of the Little and Broad Haven D Class lifeboat to assist with pump transfer. Sea conditions ruled out this option so consideration was given to setting up a towline. Due to the size and weight of the stricken vessel, concerns over water ingress and its position on the pebbles, the decision was taken to not compromise the safety of the lifeboats and volunteer crew.
The vessel’s crew were well and able to alight by foot onto the shingle ridge, at which point the lifeboats were stood down and returned to station, with Norah Wortley back readied for service by 8:20pm.
The survey vessel remained was refloated on the high tide on the evening of Wednesday 15th January. At 5:30pm, Little and Broad Haven RNLI were requested to launch their D Class lifeboat to provide water safety cover due to the risks involved in moving the vessel through the surf zone. Volunteers from local Coastguard rescue teams also provided beachside support due to the number of spectators.
At 7:59pm, HM Coastguard requested St Davids launch to assist the vessel taking on water as it tried to make its way to the port of Milford Haven for repairs. The commercial vessel was under tow from a tug and volunteers transferred a salvage pump from the Tamar class lifeboat. At 9:17pm, Angle RNLI were tasked to launch and provide assistance with an additional pump.
Both lifeboats began to escort the vessel in case the seven crew onboard required immediate evacuation. Whilst west of Skomer Island en route to Milford Haven, and in light of the vessel still taking on water, a plan was made to alter course and proceed to Broad Haven with the intention to beach the vessel to prevent it sinking.
The lifeboats then spent the next few hours escorting the tow and providing safety cover. Upon arrival off Broad Haven, and with the tidal state not right to beach the vessel, the lifeboats stood by whilst pumping efforts continued. At 3:15am on Thursday 16th January, with the situation now improving, St Davids Lifeboat was released and arrived back at station by 4:10am. Once the water ingress was under control, Angle Lifeboat was subsequently stood down at 4am after the master confirmed he was content with the vessels condition. Angle volunteer crew arrived back at station at 5:10am.
Just over six hours later at 10:35am, St Davids lifeboat was once again requested to launch to provide a salvage pump and escort the vessel and its crew. Swell and surf waves added to the water ingress. Due to the time required to get the vessel safely into port through the busy shipping lane, a decision was taken to return to the shelter of Goultrop Bay to allow time for the crew to rest before making another attempt on Friday 17th January. The lifeboat returned to station and was rehoused and ready for service at 2:24pm.
On Friday 17th January, with additional salvage pumps, the vessel made it to Pembroke Dock under the supervision of a tug and with no further need for lifeboat support.
Will Chant, RNLI Coxswain for St Davids RNLI lifeboat, said: ‘This was a busy couple of days for our volunteers, with three of our crew launching on all three shouts. Launching into darkness on two of the shouts, the teamwork of all three lifeboat crews helped ensure a safe outcome.'