WOMAN RESCUED AFTER FALLING OVERBOARD FROM YACHT OFF SOUTH WALES

A woman has been rescued after falling overboard from a yacht 8.5 nautical miles south of Barry Dock.

The skipper of the 35ft yacht used Digital Selective Calling (DSC) radio to alert Swansea Coastguard, quickly followed by a voice MAYDAY message just after 7am this morning reporting that the other member of his crew had fallen overboard. The woman was struggling to get back on board, but she was wearing a lifejacket and was attached to the boat.

The RNLI Barry Dock all-weather lifeboat along with the RAF search and rescue helicopter from Chivenor was sent to the scene. The woman was pulled out of the water by the helicopter and was flown to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, where the Penarth Coastguard Rescue Team had attended the helicopter landing site to assist.

The Barry Island Coastguard Rescue Team was sent to the harbour to assist in the berthing of the yacht and help recover equipment.

David Jones, Duty Watch Manager, Swansea Coastguard said:

"We cannot stress enough how important it is for people to be well prepared when they head out to sea.

"These crew members were well equipped. I believe the correct use of DSC radio no doubt assisted in the swift recovery of this casualty, who was also wearing a lifejacket and was attached to the yacht.

"We always advise people if they are going afloat for pleasure, working around water or fishing, they should wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid. It’s useless unless worn.”

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