Angle crew rescue exhausted sailor in early hours

ANGLE RNLI lifeboat crew were paged in the early hours of Wednesday morning (May 22) to assist a lone sailor aboard a 25ft yacht that had suffered engine failure south of Grassholm Island.

The alarm was raised at 3:23am after the yacht, which had been drifting for hours without power, became a concern due to the sailor’s increasing exhaustion. The all-weather lifeboat launched swiftly and reached the casualty vessel approximately 35 minutes later.

After assessing the situation, the crew deemed the safest option was to establish a tow. A line was passed and the vessel was taken under tow towards Milford Haven — a journey which took around three hours.

At the entrance to Milford Marina, the crew established an alongside tow to guide the yacht safely through the lock. The vessel was brought alongside without incident, and the sailor was left safe and well.

The crew returned to Angle station, where the lifeboat was refuelled and made ready for service again by 8:45am.

In a much-appreciated gesture, staff at the Lord Nelson Hotel in Milford Haven were waiting with hot bacon rolls for the tired crew — a small but welcome reward after a long and challenging rescue.

Three major projects announced as part of Tata Steel transition support

A NEW £21.2 million package of regeneration funding will support more than 270 jobs in Port Talbot, with additional employment generated through construction and local business growth.

The investment—pending endorsement by the Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board today (22 May)—will fund three regeneration projects expected to generate £119 million in Gross Value Added (GVA) for the local economy.

This announcement brings total investment from the Transition Board to over £70 million in just nine months, as part of efforts to support the area during Tata Steel’s transition to electric arc furnace steelmaking.

Projects supported by the funding:

1. Advanced Manufacturing Production Facility and Net Zero Skills Centre – Harbourside, Port Talbot

Investment: £12.5 million

Total project value: £35 million (with additional funding from the Swansea Bay City Deal)

Impact: Supports 170 jobs, engages 150 businesses, and generates £89.1 million in GVA

The centre will deliver low-carbon and net zero skills training and manufacture specialist equipment, helping to anchor an Innovation District in the Harbourside alongside the SWITCH project and Innovation Park.

2. Metal Box redevelopment, Briton Ferry

Investment: £6.9 million

Conversion and expansion of the former Metal Box site into modern business units.

3. Sandfields Business Centre upgrade, Port Talbot

Investment: £1.8 million

Expansion and modernisation of premises to support growing and start-up businesses.

Together, the Metal Box and Sandfields projects will support 101 jobs and deliver £29.9 million in GVA by 2035.

Cross-party and local support

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens, who chairs the Transition Board, said: “We promised to stand by the steelworkers, their families and the businesses of Port Talbot. This £21.2 million investment is a further step in delivering on that promise. The town’s future—through the Celtic Freeport, offshore wind and green steel—is full of potential.”

Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, added:
“This investment complements the Swansea Bay City Deal and opens up high-value jobs, especially in renewable energy and manufacturing.”

Neath Port Talbot Council Leader, Cllr Steve Hunt, welcomed the funding:
“It is vital we help local people and businesses seize the opportunities decarbonisation brings. These projects support that goal while driving growth and future skills.”

Further funding and support expected
This is the sixth major announcement from the Transition Board, funded through £80 million from the UK Government. Additional funding is expected in the coming months.

Previous allocations include:

£30 million for supply chain support and worker retraining

£13 million business start-up and resilience fund

£8.2 million for a growth project generating £87 million in economic benefit

£3.27 million for mental health support in Neath Port Talbot

The UK Government has also committed £500 million towards Tata Steel’s new electric arc furnace in Port Talbot, alongside a broader £2.5 billion pledge to rebuild the UK steel industry.

More than 50 major employers, including Fintech Wales, The Royal Mint, and RWE Energy, have also pledged to support displaced Tata workers with guaranteed interviews, training, and coaching.

For full details or to apply for funding, visit the Tata Steel Transition Information Hub.

Vehicles recovered after collision between Haverfordwest and Johnston

THE A4076 was closed for more than two hours following a crash between Haverfordwest and Johnston on Tuesday afternoon (May 20).

Emergency services were called to the scene at around 1:35pm following reports of a two-vehicle collision.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that the road was shut to allow for vehicle recovery, with the closure lasting until approximately 3:45pm.

A spokesperson for the force said: “Dyfed-Powys Police attended a report of a two-vehicle road traffic collision on the A4076 between Haverfordwest and Johnston at around 1:35pm on Tuesday, 20 May. The road was closed for vehicle recovery and was reopened at around 3:45pm. No injuries were reported.”

Traffic returned to normal following the reopening of the road.