News

Broad Haven: Lifeboat crew praised after dramatic rescue

Published

9 years ago

October 30, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Brave rescuers: The lifeboat launching in heavy seas last night

VOLUNTEER lifeboat crew members at Little and Broad Haven RNLI have been praised for their skills, bravery and decision making after they launched into huge waves and darkness to rescue a man and to dogs cut off by the tide.

Dramatic video footage was captured by Doug Evens.

Andy Grey, Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM) at the Pembrokeshire station, said the seamanship of the volunteer Helm and the skills of the crew of the inshore lifeboat as eight to 10 foot waves rolled in in pitch black darkness should be commended.

The crew was requested to launch last night (Oct 29) after a man and two dogs were cut off by the tide. The crew was paged at 6.54pm after Milford Coastguard received two phone calls from members of public who heard cries of help coming from Broad Haven.

The RNLI charity’s D-class inshore lifeboat launched into rough seas and was on scene around 7.05pm and saw a person and two dogs at the north end of Broad Haven, just off Emet Rock, cut off by the tide.

Waves were crashing up on the rocks where he was standing.

Wave sets were rolling in at around five foot, but despite the difficult conditions, the crew managed to put a member ashore to assess the casualty’s condition. He was generally okay but had a slight ankle injury and was cold.

The volunteer crew member moved him further up the rocks to safety as the tide had turned and the waves had picked up in size to a good eight foot.

Coastguard staff were also on scene and told the lifeboat crew that the rescue helicopter was on standby. After sitting off shore and judging the situation, the lifeboat Helm decided the helicopter was the safest way of evacuating the man, the dogs and the RNLI crew member from on the rocks.

The helicopter was on scene at about 8.07pm and the man, the two dogs and the landed lifeboat crew member were lifted and put on top of the cliff in Broad Haven and were met by Broad Haven Coastguards.

After that the lifeboat crew sat off Little Haven for around an hour but LOM Andy Grey decided it was too dangerous to recover the lifeboat at Little Haven with the size of the waves dumping on the slipway.

The lifeboat was brought ashore at 9.30pm in Broad Haven, where four other crew members were readied and standing by on shore, along with Broad Haven Coastguard, who were setting off parachute flares to illuminate area and help the Helm land the boat.

Andy Grey said: ‘The bravery and skill of the Helm and crew during last night’s shout was fantastic.

‘It was pitch black and the huge waves were almost impossible to see so the Helm showed a cool head and fantastic seamanship to land a crew member to the rocks where the casualty and his dogs were. They were in danger due to the rapidly building swell and full tide.

‘As the swell picked up so rapidly, it was a correct decision to call for assistance from the helicopter to evacuate the casualty and then landing the boat on Broad Haven in such huge waves required a huge amount of skill.

‘I would also like to thank the four other RNLI crew members who, in full kit, came to help recover the boat with the help of the coastguard. It was a real team effort.’

Charity

Letterston dog show raises over £750 for local charities

Published

10 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ON SUNDAY (Dec 22), Letterston Ring Craft successfully raised £755.55 for two Pembrokeshire-based charities during a fun dog show event. The funds were equally split between South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue and Letterston Memorial Hall.

The event featured a variety of well-attended classes, including child handling and fancy dress, drawing participation from dog enthusiasts of all levels.

This fundraiser marked the first charitable event supporting South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue. Founded and managed by Lizzy Austwick, the rescue organisation aids unwanted, feral, and sick cats across Pembrokeshire and responds to urgent cases in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. The rescue provides neutering support for stray and feral cats, directs owners to available resources, and specialises in helping stray cats with severe injuries, raising essential funds for their care.

For assistance, Lizzy can be contacted via the rescue’s Facebook page or at 07575 131443.

Letterston Ring Craft welcomes new members interested in training and showing their dogs, from local companion shows to prestigious events like Crufts. The club meets every other Sunday in Letterston, and further details can be found on their Facebook page.

Looking ahead, the next fun dog show is scheduled for early next year and will support Belle’s Story Charity. For more information or to get involved, contact Gentle Lowe at 07956 653401.

Charity

£3,800 donated to services across Withybush Hospital

Published

12 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE CAMROSE VINTAGE WORKING DAY team has donated £3,800 to services across Withybush Hospital.

Their 37^th annual event raised a record breaking £25,000, which has now been distributed among 26 local charities.

They donated the funds to the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit and Heads Up! Hair Loss Initiative at Withybush Hospital. Each service received £950.

The Heads Up! initiative provides a person-centred, holistic hair loss service for cancer patients. It brings together healthcare and haircare professionals from local communities to give patients the knowledge and products needed to manage their hair loss with dignity and choice.

Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer, said: “Thank you to Andrew, the team and the supporters of the Camrose Vintage Working Day for your generosity once again. Your donation to each service is amazing and will make a big difference. We are hugely grateful for your wonderful support.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

Pictured above: Andrew James, Chairman of Camrose Vintage Working Day with Withybush Hospital staff from the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit, Heads Up! Hair Loss initiative.

Community

Neyland Community Christmas Lunch a festive success

Published

13 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

NEYLAND TOWN COUNCIL rolled up their sleeves to support this year’s Community Christmas Lunch, spreading festive cheer and warm hospitality to attendees on Christmas Day at the Alumchine.

Councillors Steve Campodonic, David Devauden, Steve Thomas, and Brian Rothero began their efforts as early as 7:30am, working tirelessly to ensure the event ran smoothly.

The dedicated organisers, including Trish Campodonic, Pam, and Lloyd Hamilton, along with other volunteers, created a welcoming space filled with festive spirit and a delicious meal with all the trimmings.

The event brought together members of the community who might otherwise have spent the day alone, highlighting the warmth and generosity that Neyland is known for.

A heartfelt ‘Well done’ to everyone involved for making this Christmas lunch a resounding success and spreading joy to so many.