SIX straight hours at sea and 136 miles covered for Tenby’s all weather lifeboart, The Haydn Miller on Bank Holiday Saturday (Aug 28).

The rescue boat managed to clock up 136 miles at sea, with three shouts – including a sprint half way to Ireland, when a 6.5m boat started taking on water in the Irish Sea.

The first shout of the day came just after midday, when the Coastguard received a call stating that two kayaks were in difficulty off Stackpole.

The volunteer crew made best speed to the area and quickly located the kayaks. After making sure the occupants were unhurt, they were returned to Stackpole.

Soon after dropping off the kayakers, the lifeboat was then tasked to a yacht that had suffered engine and electrical failure off Linney Head.

They were unable to sail due to light winds.

As the crew were passing the tow to the yacht, an urgent call came in from a 6.5 metre vessel which had a cracked hull and was taking on water in the Irish Sea, around 50 miles south-west of Haydn Miller’s position.

As the yacht was not in any danger, the Haydn Miller was re-tasked to the sinking vessel, whilst Angle lifeboat was launched to assist the yacht.

After steaming into the Irish Sea for 90 minutes, the volunteer crew arrived alongside the casualty vessel just after the fellow Tamar class lifeboat from Kilmore Quay in southern Ireland. Following a discussion with their Irish RNLI colleagues, it was decided that the vessel would be towed back to Ireland, so the Tenby lifeboat started the two hour journey back to station, arriving just after 6pm.
In total, they’d covered 136 miles over their six hours at sea.

One of those rescued Ashley Bell posted his thanks on social media, saying: “A big thank you from all of us on the yacht with the engine and electrical failure!
“Angle lifeboat was with us soon after and got us back to Dale.
“We were all feeling a bit embarrassed at having to be rescued on such a beautiful day, and the warmth and friendliness from the crews of both lifeboats was really wonderful!”

On Friday, The Haydn Miller assisted with treatment of casualty with broken leg on Coppet Hall beach
The lifeboat launched at 7.05pm following a request from an off-duty nurse that was assisting RNLI beach lifeguards and HM Coastguard Tenby in treating a person with a suspected broken leg on Coppet Hall beach.
The volunteer crew were soon on scene and launched the Y-boat with medical kit and went into the shore to where the casualty was located. They assisted by providing pain relief until the casualty was more comfortable.
Once it was confirmed that an ambulance had been tasked, the Y-boat returned to the Haydn Miller for the short trip back to Tenby, arriving at 8pm.