Three launches in four days for Fishguard RNLI volunteers 

Fishguard RNLI volunteers launched three times in the last week following a trio of very different reports. 

The first request came at 1.54pm on Wednesday 19 August, from HM Coastguard to launch the charity’s D class inshore lifeboat (ILB) Edward Arthur Richardson.

A report had been received from BT of an automatic vehicle collision notification in the coastal area between Cwm-yr-Eglwys and Aber Fforest.

The ILB made best speed around Dinas Head and on arrival there was no sign of any vehicles. The crew began making enquiries in the area, particularly relating to a yacht located below where the coastguard team was on the cliff top. From speaking to the persons onboard it was established that one of them had dropped their mobile phone which must have triggered the automatic response.

Satisfied that there was nobody in need of assistance the lifeboat was stood down and returned to station.

The second request came at 4.31pm on Thursday 20 August, again to launch the ILB. The information received was that there was a windsurfer in difficulty in the water below Fishguard Fort

The lifeboat launched and made best speed to the area, however the windsurfer had self recovered to a place of safety. Lifeboat crew made contact with the casualty who was shaken but otherwise unharmed. With no further assistance required the lifeboat returned to station. This shout marked the first time that father and son duo Warren and Alfie Bean had been out on a service launch together.

The third launch request came at 1.22pm on Saturday 22 August, this time to launch the charity’s Trent class all-weather lifeboat (ALB) Blue Peter VII as well as the ILB.

The crew arrived to be informed there was a possible cliff faller in the area of Pwll Deri to the West of Strumble Head. A member of the public had reported hearing noises from the beach below and feared that someone was injured and in need of assistance.

Both lifeboats made best speed to the location, with the ALB travelling ahead creating better conditions for the ILB which was following in its wake. Coastguard teams from Fishguard and St Davids, Coastguard helicopter, Wales Air Ambulance as well as colleagues from Dyfed Powys Police and Welsh Ambulance Service Trust also made their way to the location.

Once on scene there was nothing immediately obvious to be seen on the beach. The ALB remained in the bay to provide support whilst the ILB went in to conduct a search of the beach. Coastguard teams at the top of the cliff reported they had sight of most of the beach but that there were areas that were not visible.

Two of the four ILB crew were put ashore to conduct a thorough search of the beach, whilst the Coastguard helicopter also utilised thermal imaging to conduct a search from the air. Whilst no casualties were located it was noted that there were a few seals with their pups on the beach. It was determined amongst the agencies present that the most probable origin of the noise was from the seals and pups whose calls are varied and could very easily be mistaken for human. Satisfied that there was nobody in need of assistance it was determined to be a call with good intent, at which point all agencies were stood down and the lifeboats returned to station.

Fishguard RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for, Cedwyn Rogers said:

“It’s not often that we have this number of launches in a week, and the variety of them demonstrates that our volunteers really have to be prepared for anything when responding to a launch request.

Whilst two of the three launches resulted in being false alarms it is important to remember, that if you believe somebody may be in difficulty we would much rather attend and confirm all is well, than that call not be made in fear of wasting our time and that of our Search & Rescue colleagues.

If you are, or you believe somebody else is in difficulty around the coast please call 999 or 112 and ask for Coastguard.”