Thirteen people were brought to safety by Angle’s RNLI all-weather Tamar class lifeboat in separate towing operations off the south Pembrokeshire coast on Saturday (26 June).
The lifeboat, Mark Mason, commanded by RNLI Staff Coxswain Chris Winzar, was launched, at 5 pm, at the request of HM Coastguard, to go to the aid of the yacht Amadeus III, with engine failure 1.25 miles off St Anne’s Head. There were 4 persons on board, one of whom it was reported was suffering sea-sickness.
The lifeboat, which was asked to tow the yacht to Milford Marina and give any attention required to the sick crew member, reached the yacht at 5.32pm and took her in tow.
As the Mark Mason arrived at the lock entrance to Milford Marina at 6.45pm, a second call for help came through and the tow was passed to the pilot boat Portunus.
The lifeboat then headed for the angling vessel Blue Shark, reported with an overheated engine in rough conditions in thick fog south of Skokholm Island.
The casualty was given a temporary tow to Crab Bay, Skokholm, by the RIB Topaz until the lifeboat arrived at 7.28pm.
The lifeboat then took over the tow and brought the Blue Shark, with 9 persons on board, to Neyland at 9.25pm, when a RIB from the same company took her into the marina.
The lifeboat returned to her station at 9.50pm, after the double call-out lasting nearly five hours.
With Staff Coxswain Winzar were Second Coxswain Danny Richards, Derek Richards, Mike Young, Peter Roch and Richard Bowles, as Mechanic.