MAKE SURE THAT YOUR BOAT IS IN GOOD WORKING ORDER BEFORE YOU SET TO SEA SAY COASTGUARD

Swansea Coastguard is reminding boat owners to ensure that their vessel is properly maintained and in good working order after a lifeboat was launched to the same motorboat twice in a day.

At 2.20 am this morning the 21ft motor vessel called Swansea Coastguard to request assistance as they had suffered engine failure in the mouth of the River Rhymney. Penarth RNLI Lifeboat was requested to launch and towed the vessel and its three crew back into Cardiff Barrage.

At 5.00 pm this evening Swansea Coastguard received phone calls expressing concern that the same vessel had put back to sea with two people on board. However, it was now operating on its 5hp auxiliary engine. A short while later the same vessel called the Coastguard to request assistance. They were drifting and the small engine did not have enough power to get them safely back to shore in the 25-30 knot westerly winds.

The Penarth RNLI Lifeboat was requested to launch again, whilst Penarth Coastguard Rescue Team kept a watch on the vessel from shore. Once on scene, the lifeboat crew discovered that one of the crew was very cold and seasick and so she was brought back to shore by the lifeboat. The other crew member stayed on board his vessel, which will be towed back to shore by the lifeboat.

David Jones, Swansea Coastguard Watch Manager says:

“Please ensure that your vessel is well maintained and can cope with the weather conditions. And if you have suffered an engine breakdown make sure that your boat is fully back in working order again before you set to sea.”


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