News

Two shouts in two days for Angle RNLI

Published

1 year ago

July 14, 2023

ANGLE LIFEBOAT was paged by the Coastguard at 7:49am on Sunday morning following reports of a yacht aground at Dale.

The lifeboat launched and proceeded over towards Dale where once on scene, the lifeboat’s smaller inflatable Y boat was launched to head in and investigate.

Once with the yacht, the Y boat found two persons with the yacht, one in the water trying to free the yacht. With the yacht having difficulties with astern propulsion, they were unable to re-float themselves.
The Y boat crew rigged a tow and gently managed to tow the vessel into deeper water where the yachts skipper was then able to motor himself alongside the pontoon. Once checks for damage and water ingress, the yachts skipper was happy that he required no further assistance.

With this, the Y boat was recovered and the lifeboat stood down to return to station, where she was readied for service once again just after 9am.

The following day, Angle All-Weather Lifeboat was requested to launch at 3:30pm on Monday afternoon following an EPIRB activation in the vicinity of Grassholm Island.

The lifeboat launched and made best speed in unfavourable conditions. Following a Mayday Relay broadcast by the coastguard, the Irish Ferries vessel ‘Oscar Wilde’ had responded and diverted to assist. St David’s All-Weather Lifeboat and Coastguard Rescue helicopter R924 from Newquay had also been tasked initially, with Angle Lifeboat tasked 34 minutes later.

The lifeboats were requested to investigate a fishing vessel in a position south west of Skokholm island, to determine if the EPIRB was theirs before the lifeboats would subsequently begin searches.

St David’s Lifeboat arrived with the fishing vessel and with the Oscar Wilde providing a lee due to the sea conditions, their crew attempted to make contact with the fishing vessels skipper. With the vessel having no comms, this was proving difficult.

Angle Lifeboat arrived briefly afterwards, and attempted to get as close as possible to try and communicate with the skipper to ascertain whether or not the activation was coming from his vessel.

With communications still proving difficult and the sea conditions not allowing the lifeboat to go alongside the vessel, the coxswain made the decision to request the fishing vessels skipper to throw his EPIRB overboard so that the lifeboat could recover it and confirm the ID matched that of the activation received.

The lifeboat was then able to recover the EPIRB from the water and confirm that it was transmitting. The ID numbers were passed to the coastguard who confirmed that they matched those of the hit that they had received.

With this information, all assets were stood due to return to their stations. However, due to the sea conditions and lack of communication with the fishing vessel, Angle Lifeboat were to escort the vessel in to Milford Docks to ensure their safety.

Following a slow escort, the fishing vessel and lifeboat arrived at the lock pits at 6:45pm. With no further assistance required, the lifeboat and her crew were stood down to return to station where she was readied for service once again just after 7pm.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.