Lifeboat crews save two after boat sinks

LIFEBOAT crews saved the lives of two people who ended up in the sea after their boat sank in the middle of the night.

Penarth RNLI was called shortly after 1.10am on Tuesday to a 19ft fishing boat taking on water near Lavernock Point.

The first lifeboat on the scene – an Atlantic-class lifeboat – tried to steady the stricken boat in challenging conditions, but the vessel had taken on too much water and quickly sank, with two people entering the water.

A smaller lifeboat from the station – the Spirit of Penarth II – was then called to the scene, with crews having no option but to get into the water to save the casualties.

The two people in the water were saved by the volunteer crews and were later transferred to Barry Dock by an all-weather RNLI lifeboat, which had also been launched to assist in the rescue.

A volunteer ambulance technician and a paramedic were waiting at the dock to treat the patients when they got back.

Both were later taken by ambulance for medical checks.

Jason Dunlop, Penarth RNLI Lifeboat operations manager, praised the crews for their “swift actions” which saved lives.

He said: “There is no doubt that the professionalism and swift actions of the crews saved the lives of the two casualties.

“The RNLI invests heavily in the training of the crews and the equipment we have access to and we needed both to effect this rescue without loss of life.

“We are grateful to Barry Dock lifeboat crew, Milford Haven Coastguards, who co-ordinated the rescue, Wales Ambulance Service, and Penarth Coastguard Rescue team, who worked seamlessly as one team.

“Our thanks too go to the crew of rescue helicopter 187 who maintained a watch over us.”