At 5.45 pm yesterday (22 July) the volunteer crew of the Mumbles all weather lifeboat were scrambled to the assistance of a trawler which was finding great difficulty in manoeuvring after capturing a mystery object in its nets.
The fishing vessel, with one person on board, was struggling to make headway against the tide due to the massive weight of the item in its net.
Matthew Williams from the Mumbles RNLI lifeboat crew was put onboard the trawler to help the skipper with towing into the safety of Swansea Bay.
Matthew says: ‘ The lifeboat towed the vessel for just over 2 miles into the bay and took the trawler to the safe area at Knab Rock Mumbles for the skipper to inspect his nets and remove whatever it was holding him back. When the tide dropped it was found to be a mass of Mussel Shells which was causing extraordinary drag.’
The RNLI has set a £150,000 fundraising target over the next three years towards a new £2.7m Tamar class boat for Mumbles. The Tamar lifeboats are the most advanced vessels operated by the RNLI, providing all weather rescue capabilities and will replace the current Tyne class rescue boat that currently serves Mumbles.
