The New Quay all-weather lifeboat was called shortly after 9pm on Friday 23 December to assist the Aberystwyth inshore lifeboat in a search following reports of a red flare off Castle Point.
Although this was a party night in the festive season, a volunteer crew of Daniel Potter (Coxswain), Ben Billingham, Tim Harrison, Bernard Davies, Gary Hartley, Steve Hartley Jr and Peter Yates quickly assembled for a difficult passage in heavy seas and a strong north westerly wind to the Aberystwyth area.
Following a fruitless search for over an hour, the lifeboats were stood down on the basis that it was a false alarm made in good faith.
Lifeboat Operations Manager at New Quay, Roger Couch, commented:
‘This was a classic case of one lifeboat station called on to assist its neighbour. The Lifeboat Operations Manager at Aberystwyth decided that, in view of sea conditions, the support of an all-weather lifeboat with superior radar and night vision facilities was necessary. The Coastguard agreed with his assessment and immediately called on our station to respond, which we were pleased to do”.
