The Bank Holiday weekend proved busy for Penarth lifeboat’s volunteer crew, with four call outs over the weekend. The last of the four was a test for the crew with the lifeboat operating at its limit. Winds gusting to force 7 and the strong tides of the Bristol Channel produced very choppy conditions that drove a lone sailor close to rocks.
On Monday evening, at 8.40 pm, the Atlantic 85 launched to assist a 30 foot yacht with one person on board. The sailing boat was making little way against the tide and being blown dangerously close to shore. Helm Jason Dunlop and crew Aran Pitter, Jen Payne and Karl Lawrence, made their way to the yacht as quickly as the extremely rough weather conditions would allow.
Lifeboat Helmsman Jason Dunlop said:
“This was an exhausting shout in the difficult conditions and with the on set of darkness. The yacht was close to grounding on the rocks at Lavernock Point before we got to him. The sailor was only wearing jeans and a tee-shirt. He had been so busy battling the conditions that he hadn’t had time to put on warm clothing.”
Lifeboat crewman Aran climbed on board the yacht, a tricky manoeuvre in 6 foot waves. He helped the exhausted lone sailor to turn the boat towards Barry. Barry Dock’s lifeboat then escorted it to the safety of Barry Harbour.
The rough sea conditions made it impossible for Penarth lifeboat to land back on her slipway at Penarth beach. After 2 hours at sea, Penarth lifeboat had instead to seek shelter in Cardiff Bay barrage overnight.
Deputy Launching Authority for Penarth RNLI, Mike Kingston, said:
“This was a very difficult and challenging incident for our crew due to the blustery weather and rough sea. Luckily we had the support of Barry Dock lifeboat, which is much larger than Penarth’s and can work in very rough weather. The sailor on board this yacht had been caught out by rough weather and a turning tide, but thankfully had all the necessary safety equipment on board”.
