Services - 2009
5th October 2009 - ALB - Press Release
The all-weather RNLI lifeboat from St Davids was launched just after 5pm on Monday (5 October), following reports that an 11 metre vessel had suffered engine failure. Milford Haven Coastguard directed the volunteer RNLI crew to her position half a mile off Carreg Rhosson. The RNLI lifeboat arrived on scene and found two fishermen aboard. The volunteer crew towed the vessel 11 miles to its mooring at Abercastle. The RNLI lifeboat returned to station at 8pm.
Crew: I Gray (Cox'n), M Rogers (Mech), W Chant,, M Cox, D Ward, J Elsby, H Ledwith4th October 2009 - ALB and ILB - Launch Request
St Davids RNLI Operations Manager, James Wilcox, was paged by Milford Haven Coastguard at 12.40pm for the launch of both boats to commence a search for a kayaker reported overdue from Whitesands Beach. However the boats did not launch as the kayaker was spotted by the first informant a few minutes later.
29th September 2009 - ALB - Press Release
St Davids RNLI lifeboat passes the towline to Wildgoose Too
On
Tuesday the 29th of September at 4:55pm the
St Davids RNLI all-weather lifeboat under the command of coxswain David
John
launched on service to the aid of an 11 metre sailing catamaran "Wild
Goose
Too" which had suffered a mechanical failure to it's propeller
drive
shaft and was becalmed between South Bishop Lighthouse and Ramsey
Island. The casualty with four persons onboard was on passage
from Aberaeron to Neyland
Marina for maintenance.
In
attendance with a line attached to the casualty was the pleasure craft
"Francis Mary" which stood by until the arrival of the lifeboat.
The lifeboat then secured a line to the casualty and took it
under tow to
Milford Haven. On arriving at Milford the vessel was moored up at
the Mackerel Stage. The lifeboat then proceeded back to
station re-housing at 9:30pm.
Crew: David John, Michael Phillips, Ian Gray, William Chant, Simon
Thornton, Gareth Morris & John Elsby.
24th September 2009 - ALB and ILB - Press Release
Fishguard Lifeboats alongside St Davids ALB
On Thursday the 24th of September 2009 at 6:05pm the St Davids RNLI all-weather lifeboat (ALB) and inshore lifeboat (ILB) under the command of deputy 2nd coxswain Ian Gray and helmsman Mike Rogers respectively launched on service to join both Fishguard RNLI lifeboats in a large scale search for two missing divers.
The two divers had entered the sea from their dive boat two miles west of
Strumble Head to dive on a world war two wreck called the Empire Panther.
After the set time for them to come to the surface their boat could not locate
them, after scouring the area they contacted Milford Haven Coastguards who
instigated a major search involving the RNLI
lifeboats a search and rescue helicopter from RAF Chivenor
in Devon plus two coastguard teams.
After a long search at 7:40pm
the rescue helicopter located them some nine miles from where they entered
the water. They were then airlifted and transferred to Withybush
Hospital in Haverfordwest
suffering from exhaustion and hypothermia. All units were then stood down
and returned to their stations with St Davids lifeboats rehousing at 8:55pm.
Crew ALB: Ian Gray, Michael Phillips, Robin Copley, Ffion Rees,
Gillian Gray, Simon Twitchen & Ben Hughes.
Crew ILB: Mike Rogers, Peter Roberts & John Elbsy
On Sunday the 20th of
September 2009 at 4:30pm the St Davids RNLI Inshore Lifeboat (ILB), under the
command of helmsman Mike Rogers, launched on service to the aid of a 55yr old
man from the Swansea area who had suffered serious head, shoulder and arm injuries
on falling onto rocks at Porth Melgan Bay near Whitesands Beach. A Coastguard team from St
Davids, a RAF Rescue Helicopter 169 from Chivenor and land ambulance were also
dispatched to this incident.
Once the ILB was on scene
they discovered that Porthmawr Lifeguards were administering oxygen to the
casualty. Members of the ILB crew came
ashore and assisted the lifeguards, in continuing to treat the casualty
together with coastguards, until the arrival of the helicopter. The helicopter arrived on
scene at 4:56pm and landed on Porth Melgan Beach, the casualty was then placed
aboard the helicopter and airlifted to Morriston Hospital in Swansea for
treatment to his injuries.
The ILB was then released to
return station and re-housed at 5:24pm.
Crew: Mike Rogers, William
Chant, Gareth Morris & Harry Ledwith.
19th September 2009 - ILB - Press Release
On Saturday the 19th of
September 2009 at 1:12pm the St David's RNLI inshore lifeboat (ILB) under the
command of helmsman Neil Thomas launched on service, following a report
by members of the public who were walking the cliff path of what appeared
to be person or persons crying in pain at the base of the cliff.
The incident was at Pen Bedol above the Shoe Rock near Lower Treginnis. The ILB was soon on scene and
landed a crew member at the foot of the cliff where he discovered that in fact
it was a seal pup that was making the noise. After communication with
Milford Coastguards the ILB was released from the incident and it was treated
as a false alarm with good intent.
The ILB returned to
station and re-housed at 1:35pm.
Crew: Neil Thomas, Nicholas
Phillips & Simon Twitchen.
16th September 2009 - ILB x 2 - Press Release
On
Wednesday the 16th of September 2009 at 3:24pm the St David's RNLI Inshore
Lifeboat (ILB)under the command of helmsman William Chant, launched on service
to the aid of two persons cut off by the tide near Whitesands Beach. Once
on scene at 3:30pm the lifeboat crew discovered that the two persons
had climbed two thirds up a 70ft cliff face. The
crew continued to monitor them, until they were safely at the top of the cliff,
where they met by the local coastguard team from St David's.
The
ILB left the scene at 3:38pm and was making it's way back to station when it
was discovered that another incident was developing in Whitesands Beach, where
a woman had fallen onto rocks and was in need of medical assistance. The
woman had sustained head and rib injuries and the local coastguards requested
the attendance of the ILB. The
lifeboat crew administered oxygen to the casualty until the arrival of an
ambulance when paramedics took over the care of the woman.
The
ILB was then released and returned to station re-housing at 4:27pm.
Crew: William Chant, Peter Roberts & Harry Ledwith.
12th September 2009 - ALB and ILB - Press Release
St Davids ILB rescues the crew of the 'Vital Spark'
On
Saturday 12th September two people were rescued from a fishing boat
by the St Davids RNLI lifeboats.
With
boat and crew safe the lifeboats returned to station re-housing at 2:15pm.
ILB
Crew: Nicholas Phillips, Simon Thornton,
Gareth Morris
6th September 2009 - ALB and ILB - Press Release
Kayakers landed at Whitesands Beach
St
Davids RNLI all weather and inshore lifeboats launched at 10:50am
following a 999 call from a member of the public who was concerned for
the safety of two kayakers in the area of St Davids Head. The
lifeboats were quickly on scene, the ALB searching northwards of the
head and the ILB southwards into Whitesands Bay. After a few
minutes the ILB located the two men and their inflatable kayak on the
beach at Porth Melgan. They were taken on board the ILB and
conveyed to the beach at Whitesands where they were met by St Davids
coastguards. Both boats returned to station and re-housed at
approx
12:30pm.
ALB Crew: David John, Mike Rogers, Michael Phillips, Nicholas Phillips, Peter Roberts, Jestyn Martin, Ffion Rees.
ILB Crew: Robin Copley (Helm), Gareth Morris and Dave Ward.
1st September 2009 - ALB and ILB - Press Release
St Davids ILB being escorted back to station
On Tuesday the 1st of September
2009 at 7:40pm both St Davids RNLI all-weather lifeboat (ALB) under the command
of coxswain David John and the inshore lifeboat (ILB) under the command of
helmsman Mike Rogers, launched on service following reports of a person in
difficulties in the sea near the Blue Lagoon, Abereiddi.
At this point both lifeboats
were stood down and returned to station rehousing at 8:25pm. The incident was
treated as a false alarm with good intent.
12th August 2009 - ALB and ILB
St Davids inshore and all-weather lifeboats were requested to launch at 6:47pm by Milford Haven Coastguard following a report from a member of the public that three kayakers were in distress near Caerfai Bay. As the crew were mustering at the lifeboat station notification came that the launch was cancelled as the kayakers were able to reach the shore unaided.
11th August 2009 - ALB and ILB - Press Release
On Tuesday 11th of August 2009 at 11:16pm both St Davids RNLI all-weather & inshore lifeboats under the command of coxswain David John and helmsman Robin Copley launched on service following reports of three red flares being sighted approximately 2-3 nautical miles north west of St Davids Head.
The inshore lifeboat (ILB) commenced a close shoreline search from Whitesands Beach heading north checking inlets and coves for any sightings of persons in distress. The all-weather lifeboat (ALB) were given search patterns by Milford Haven Coastguards to carry out their search further out to sea, using their radar for any signals. The visibility was very poor due to fog and sea mist that the crew of the ALB could barely see the bow of the lifeboat. A coastguard team from St David's carried out a cliff top search along the coastal path.
After the ILB had carried out their shoreline search they were instructed to return to station at 12:05am. The ALB carried on carrying out it's track search patterns until 1:35am when it was decided to call off the search. The ALB returned to station and rehoused at 2:10am. The incident was treated as a false alarm with good intent.
Crew ALB: David John, Clive Hayes, Michael Phillips, Jestyn Martin, William Chant, Mike Rogers & Peter Roberts.
Crew ILB: Robin Copley, Simon Thornton & Dave Ward.
3rd August 2009 - ALB and ILB - Press Release
On Monday 3rd of August 2009 at 4:40pm both St David's RNLI all-weather lifeboat under the command of coxswain David John and the inshore lifeboat under the command of helmsman Michael Phillips launched on service to the aid of three persons in difficulties having surfed out to sea at Newgale Beach. The three persons got into difficulties and came off their surf boards while going through some rough water.
The RNLI Lifeguards on duty at Newgale could see the incident and raised the alarm with coastguards and the lifeboats were launched together with a coastguard team from St David's. Ten minutes after launching both of St David's RNLI lifeboats were told to return to station as the RNLI Lifeguards had rescued them from the sea. An ambulance attended the scene to carry out medical checks.
Both lifeboats rehoused at 5:10pm.
Crew ALB: David John (coxswain), Robin Copley, William Chant, Simon Thornton & Dave Ward.
Crew ILB: Michael Phillips (helmsman), Simon Twitchen & Harry Ledwith.
24th July 2009 - ALB and ILB - Press Release
On Friday the 24th of July 2009 at 7:38pm the St David's RNLI Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) under the command of helmsman Michael Phillips launched on service following a report of swimmers in difficulties near Caerfai Beach. A few moments later, as reports were coming of a possibility of five persons in the water, the All-Weather Lifeboat (ALB) under the command of coxswain David John launched as a backup to the ILB.
The ILB was soon on scene and while being monitored by a local
coastguard team made an approach to the swimmers and it was discovered
that they were safe and well. There were other people scaling the
cliffs nearby, but they were also safe.
Both lifeboats were then stood down and returned to home station rehousing at 8:15pm.
This incident was treated as a false alarm with good intent (FAGI).
Crews: ILB: Helmsman Michael Phillips, Gareth Morris & Peter Roberts.
ALB: Coxswain David John, William Chant, Simon Thornton, Mike Rogers, Dave Ward, Simon Twitchen & Harry Ledwith.
23rd July 2009 - ILB
Milford Haven coastguard paged James Wilcox, Operations Manager of the St Davids RNLI lifeboat, at about 6.00pm to assist to locate a missing child at Whitesands Beach. The call was cancelled as the crew were mustering at the station as the child had been located safe and well by the RNLI lifeguards.
8th July 2009 - ILB - Press Release
On Wednesday the 8th July at 9:35pm St David's RNLI
Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) under the command of helmsman Simon Thornton
launched on service to a female who was feeling unwell on the cliffs
near Nine Wells Beach to the west of Solva. Once on scene the ILB
stood by and monitored the situation as a local coastguard team and
paramedics treated the casualty. It was decided because of the
terrain to task a helicopter Rescue 169 from RAF Chivenor to the scene.
The ILB at this time kept watch, as a safety vessel in case anyone entered the water or a sea evacuation was required. Once the helicopter was on scene the ILB assisted in illuminating the area for the casualty to be airlifted and taken to Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest.
The ILB then returned to station rehousing at 11:20pm.
Crew: Simon Thornton, Neil Thomas & Nicholas Phillips.
7th July 2009 - Medical Assistance
RNLI personnel from the lifeboat station at St Davids provided medical
assistance to two people landed at the lifeboat station in separate
incidents. In the first incident a fisherman was landed onto the
lifeboat slipway with lacerations to his forehead and nose and about
one and a half hours later a passenger vessel landed a woman with a
laceration to her cheek. Both were given first aid at the station and
referred to a doctor for further treatment.
21st June 2009 - ALB and ILB - Press Release
On Sunday the 21st of June at 1:15am both St David's RNLI lifeboats were called out following reports that a 19yr old male had fallen 100ft over the cliff near the lifeboat station at St Justinian. Once the lifeboat crew arrived at the station, it became apparent that the casualty had fallen onto the beach and was not in the water. The casualty had sustained serious leg, arm and head injuries.
As the lifeboats were not required to launch, the lifeboat crew together with the local St David's Coastguard team began to administer first aid with medical equipment from the lifeboat station. An Ambulance soon arrived on scene and the patient's care was taken over by Paramedics.
Lifeboat crew, coastguards and paramedics working together managed to place the casualty on a stretcher which was not easy due to his location, and he was slowly moved up the steps from the boathouse to a cliff top location to await the arrival of Rescue Helicopter 169 from RAF Chivenor.
The helicopter arrived at 2:35am and the casualty was placed aboard together with a paramedic and airlifted to Morriston Hospital in Swansea.
Once again this has shown a text book rescue with the close co-operation that the four emergency services have, working together.
6th June 2009 - ALB and ILB - Press Release
Penny Lu under tow to Porthclais. Photo: St Davids RNLI
On Saturday 6th of June at 5:50am the St Davids RNLI All-Weather lifeboat under the command of Coxswain David John launched on service to the aid of a 17ft Dory pleasure craft "Penny Lu" which had made a 'Mayday' distress call reporting engine failure and that it was taking in water.
Once on scene at Porthlysgi Bay, the lifeboat then took the two males off the vessel onto the lifeboat and proceeded to take the casualty under tow to Porthclais Harbour. It was decided at this point at 6:15am to launch the St Davids RNLI Inshore Lifeboat under the command of helmsman Dave Ward to proceed to Porthclais.
Once both lifeboats were at the entrance to Porthclais
the two males were transferred to the inshore lifeboat and taken
ashore. The inshore lifeboat then took over the tow and proceeded to
take the casualty to it's mooring in the harbour.
The incident was monitered by the local coastguard team.
Both lifeboats then returned to station rehousing at 7:00am.
Crew ALB: David John,Ian Gray, Michael Phillips, Jestyn Martin, William Chant, Gareth Morris, Padrig Rees & Mike Rogers.
Crew ILB: Helmsman Dave Ward, Ffion Rees & Harry Ledwith.
4th June 2009 - ALB - Press Release
The lifeboat takes the Rhondda Boy under tow. Rhoto: St Davids RNLI.
On Thursday the 4th of June at 7:10pm the St Davids RNLI All-Weather lifeboat under the command of coxswain David John launched to the aid of a 18ft pleasure craft "Rhondda Boy" which had suffered mechanical failure and requested assistance via the coastguards. The casualty with one person onboard, owner Mr Peter Jones, was in Caerfai Bay.
The lifeboat was soon on scene and put one of the crew members onboard the casualty to assist Mr Jones and then started to tow the casualty back to Porthclais Harbour. A local Coastguard Team from St Davids monitored the rescue from the cliff top.
Once they arrived at the harbour and because of the state of the tide and lack of water under the lifeboat, the tow was passed to fellow crew member Robin Copley who used his own craft to assist the casualty into the harbour and back to its moorings. The lifeboat then proceeded back to station rehousing at 9:00pm.
Crew: David John, Jestyn Martin, Simon Thornton, Mike Rogers, Dave Ward, John Elsby & Harry Ledwith.
9th May 2009 - ALB and ILB - Press Release
St Davids Lifeboats and RAF rescue helicopter at Abereiddi. Photo: St Davids RNLI
On Saturday 9th May at 4:50pm both St Davids
All-Weather lifeboat (ALB) under the command of deputy 2nd coxswain Ian
Gray and St Davids Inshore lifeboat (ILB) under the command of helmsman
William Chant launched on service to the Blue Lagoon, Abereiddi to the
aid of a 21yr old man from Liverpool with serious spinal injuries.
The man had been coaststeering with a group when on entering the sea he
injured his back.
As both lifeboats arrived on scene they were joined by coastguard teams from St Davids and Fishguard plus paramedics.
After assessing the casualty the decision was made that the best
way for evacuation was by helicopter and an RAF Rescue Helicopter
from Chivenor, Devon was dispatched.
As the tide was now rising the St Davids Inshore Lifeboat was tasked to
proceed into the cove to evacuate the casualty on a spinal board ready
for an airlift, this was completed successfully and he was airlifted to
Morriston Hospital in Swansea.
Both lifeboats returned to station and rehoused at 6:50pm.
ALB Crew: Ian Gray, Michael Phillips,
Ffion Rees, Mike Rogers & Peter Roberts.
ILB Crew: William Chant, Padrig Rees & Ben Hughes.
2nd May 2009 - ALB and ILB
St Davids ALB and ILB stand by awaiting the arrival of the RAF rescue helicopter - Photo: St Davids RNLI.
At 1133 on Saturday 2nd May, whilst crew members were attending the funeral of crew member Roland Bateman, a launch request for both inshore and all weather lifeboats was received from Milford Haven Coastguard. Reports had been received that a climber had fallen from the cliffs at Porth-y-Ffynnon, St Nons near St Davids into the sea and was in difficulties.
The lifeboats launched and proceeded to the scene to find the man had managed to get onto rocks at the base of the cliffs. There was a heavy ground swell making any attempt at rescue from the sea very hazardous and as the man was no longer in any immediate danger it was decided to await the arrival of a rescue helicopter that was on it's way from RAF Chivenor in Devon. The helicopter subsequently winched the casualty from the cliffs and conveyed him directly to Withybush Hospital.
St Davids ALB at Porth-y-Ffynnon on 02/05/09 Photo: Stephen Morris
Both lifeboats arrived back at station at 1250. During the process of recovering the all weather lifeboat onto the slipway a series of large swells caused the winch cable to get caught in the port propeller. As a result the lifeboat had to be placed on restricted service until the arrival of a relief lifeboat.
ALB Crew: R Copley (Coxswain), M Phillips, J Martin, M Rogers, M Cox, N Phillips, W Chant
ILB Crew: I Gray (Helm), N Thomas, S Thornton
14th April 2009 - MCA Press Release
Although neither of St Davids lifeboat's launched, crew members from St Davids Lifeboat Station assisted St Davids coastguard, paramedics and rescue helicopters with the treatment and evacuation of the passengers from the vessel 'Ocean Ranger' following an incident at the south west of Ramsey Island. The MCA press release follows:
FIVE INJURED AFTER BOAT LANDS HEAVILY IN THE WATER
Milford Haven Coastguard are currently co-ordinating assistance to five
people who were all injured in a large rigid water jet powered
passenger carrying vessel, the `Ocean Ranger, which came off a wave and
landed heavily in the sea off the coast of south west Wales.
The vessel run by Thousand Island Expeditions is an MCA coded vessel
capable of carrying 12 passengers, and was carrying 11 passengers at
the time of the incident.
The incident occurred off St Justinians, around a mile and a half from
St Davids. Rescue helicopter, R 169, took the most seriously injured
person to Withybush hospital after winching the individual from the
scene, who was suffering from serious back injuries. After the vessel
made its way back to St Justinians, a further two individuals were
taken by an air ambulance to the same hospital, both of whom were also
suffering from back injuries.
Two further people were taken by land ambulances, also to Withybush hospital, possibly with bruised or broken ribs.
St Davids Coastguard Rescue Team were also mobilised and they assisted
in getting the passengers off the vessel and communications shoreside.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch have been informed and MCA surveyors will visit the craft tomorrow.
Posted By: Mark Clark
12th April 2009 - ALB and ILB - Press Release
St Davids ILB escorting kayakers ashore at Whitesands beach Photo: St Davids RNLI
On Sunday 12th of April, whilst out exercising, the St
David's Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) under the command of helmsman Mike
Rogers came across four persons in their kayaks experiencing
difficulties while paddling in a position to the west of
Ramsey Island.
The lifeboat crew had been monitoring the kayakers and approached them
asking if they could be of assistance, which they replied that they
were in fact exhausted as they struggled against the tide.
At 4:15pm the ILB requested the launch of the all-weather lifeboat
(ALB), under the command of coxswain David John, for assistance in
transporting the kayakers and kayaks back to the safety of the
shoreline.
The ALB was soon on scene and took the casualties aboard and proceeded
to Whitesands Beach where the ILB took over and monitored them until
they were safely ashore where they were met by St David's Coastguard
Team.
This was the first rescue carried out by the new St David's ILB (Myrtle and Trevor Gurr).
Both lifeboats then returned to station rehousing at 5:10pm.
Crew ALB: David John, Michael Phillips, William Chant, Gillian Gray, Simon Thornton & Nicholas Phillips.
Crew ILB: Mike Rogers, John Elsby & Dave Ward.
