At 1pm on Saturday 19 March 2011 the volunteer crew at the RNLI’s lifeboat station at Burry Port launched to assist a pleasure boat in difficulty south west of Worm’s Head.
The boat with two Polish men, living in Llanelli, on board had left Burry Port earlier Saturday morning for a day’s fishing. As they tried to re-start the boat’s engine it caught fire. The crew on board called Swansea Coastguards who then requested the launch of Burry Port’s Atlantic 75 Blue Peter II.
On arrival at the scene the crew of the lifeboat attached a tow rope to the stricken boat and towed it back to Burry Port.
The Atlantic was crewed by Justin Pugh, Julian Aston and Nick Jones.
At 9pm Swansea Coastguards requested the launch of the station’s D class lifeboat The YoungWatsons to join the search for eight missing teenagers. The eight, all year 12 pupils from Carmarthen, had travelled by train, to Burry Port to visit Pembrey Country Park.
After a day at the park the eight had decided to walk back to Burry Port station along Cefn Sidan Beach not realizing that this is not possible as they would have to cross over The Saltings area at Pembrey Harbour. Crossing the river in the dark can be extremely dangerous especially to people unfamiliar with the area.
Fortunately one of the group phoned home and was advised by a parent not to enter the water but to remain on dry land and await rescue. The parent dialled 999 and asked for the police. The police then informed Swansea Coastguards and a full scale search was instigated involving police, Burry Port Coastguards and Burry Port lifeboat.
After a lengthy search the group was found by a lifeboat crew member south of Pembrey Harbour near The Nose. The eight were brought ashore by the D class.
Once back at the station they were given hot drinks and blankets. Arrangements were made for parents to collect them. They were cold and embarrassed but otherwise unharmed.
The lifeboat was crewed by Justin Pugh, Gary Morgan and Nick Jones.
