News
Five rescues in just six days for busy Angle RNLI crew
THE ANGLE RNLI lifeboat was called into action five times over the course of six days, responding to various emergencies both on land and at sea. The series of shouts began on Thursday, 26th September and continued until 1st October.
Dog rescue at West Angle Beach
At 12:17pm on Thursday, 26th September, the lifeboat was requested to launch following a 999 call reporting a dog had fallen over a cliff at West Angle Beach, opposite Thorn Island. The lifeboat quickly made the short journey to the scene and found the dog at the base of the cliff, distressed but otherwise unharmed.
The crew deployed their inflatable Y-boat, and a crew member went ashore to recover the animal. The dog was transferred to the All-Weather Lifeboat and taken to East Angle Bay, where the Y-boat landed it safely ashore into the care of Coastguard Rescue Officers from St Govan’s and Tenby, as well as the relieved owners. With no further assistance required, the lifeboat returned to its berth and was readied for further service by 2:30pm.
Cancelled launch for surfer in difficulty
The following day, Friday 27th September, at 2:39pm, the lifeboat was once again requested to launch following multiple 999 calls reporting a surfer in difficulty at Freshwater West Beach. However, as the crew were preparing to launch, the surfer managed to self-recover to shore, and the launch was subsequently cancelled. The St Govan’s Coastguard Rescue Team was also dispatched to assist during this incident.
Yacht in trouble at Jack Sound
The lifeboat was next paged on Saturday, 28th September, at 3:48pm to assist a 37-foot yacht experiencing difficulties in Jack Sound due to a fuel-related issue. The crew located the yacht just off Gateholm Island, swiftly established a tow, and brought the yacht to Milford Docks. Once off the lock entrance, the yacht regained sufficient power to moor alongside the lock pits, under the lifeboat’s escort. With no further assistance required, the lifeboat stood down and returned to the jetty, ready for further service by 6:15pm.
Machinery failure off South Hook LNG Terminal
The following afternoon, at 12:48pm on Sunday, 29th September, the crew were tasked to assist a 25-foot power vessel suffering from machinery failure and adverse weather conditions near the South Hook LNG Terminal. The Milford Haven Harbour Patrol vessel and the port authority pilot vessel ‘Skomer’ were already on the scene, but due to worsening weather and the vessel’s proximity to the terminal, the lifeboat was requested.
Facing force 8 easterly winds averaging 45 knots, the lifeboat arrived at the scene where the Harbour Patrol was struggling to make headway while towing the vessel. The lifeboat then took over the tow and, with few safe havens available due to the weather, set a course for Hobbs Point. After about an hour, the vessel was safely left alongside the pontoon at Hobbs Point. The lifeboat was stood down and returned to its jetty, ready for service by 4:00pm.
Medical evacuation from warship
The final call came this morning, at 8:05am on 1st October, when the lifeboat was requested to carry out a medical evacuation from a warship just off St Ann’s Head. The casualty, a 20-year-old female, was suffering from appendicitis and required hospital treatment.
The lifeboat launched and quickly located the warship near the port entrance. The crew successfully conducted an underway transfer of the casualty and her colleague via a pilot ladder. They were transported back to the Port Authority Jetty, where an ambulance was waiting to take the patient to hospital. With the casualty in the care of paramedics, the lifeboat stood down and was ready for service again by 10:00am.
The crew and commanding officer of HMS Somerset, the warship involved in the medical evacuation, expressed their gratitude by gifting the RNLI with the ship’s crest in thanks for the assistance.
The dedication and skill of the Angle RNLI crew during this busy period have once again highlighted the crucial role they play in ensuring safety at sea and along the coast.
Health
Urgent action needed over eye care waiting lists
SENEDD Member Paul Davies has called for urgent action over statistics which show that 63.3% of patient pathways assessed as being at highest risk of irreversible harm are waiting beyond their target date for treatment in the Hywel Dada University Health Board area. The latest figures from the Welsh Government show that 11,295 patients in the Hywel Dda University Health Board area are at the highest risk of irreversible harm because of waiting beyond their target date for treatment.
Mr Davies said, “These statistics are extremely alarming and behind them are thousands of people living in west Wales at risk of irreversible sight loss because they are waiting too long for their appointments. Not only are many of these patients in pain and discomfort, but some have also lost jobs because of their deteriorating eyesight.
“We need action as a matter of urgency and I urge the Welsh Government to endorse the National Clinical Strategy for Ophthalmology and prioritise its implementation. Eye care services are still under huge pressures, its infrastructure requires significant investment and there are serious recruitment and retention issues. Therefore, it’s vital that this is prioritised immediately – as each month that passes without a commitment to improve eye care will result in more and more people being added to waiting lists.”
Crime
Harassment and criminal damage case adjourned
RICHARD WAKELY, 45, of Castle Street, Pennar, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court charged with breaching a restraining order by entering the home of the victim on 8th September 2024 in Pembroke. Wakely had previously indicated a guilty plea and was remanded on conditional bail. His case was adjourned to 7th October 2024 for sentencing.
Wakely also faced a separate charge of criminal damage to a police vehicle on the same date. He was granted conditional bail, including prohibitions on contacting the victim and exclusion from specified premises.
Crime
Drink driving offence results in disqualification and fine
STEPHEN JONES, aged 61, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (September 30).
He was charged with driving a motor vehicle while over the legal alcohol limit. The incident occurred on 4th August 2024, when Jones was found driving a Mercedes GLA 220 on Market Street with 67 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the prescribed limit.
Jones changed his plea to guilty on the morning of the trial. The court disqualified him from driving for 20 months, which could be reduced by 20 weeks if he completes a drink-drive rehabilitation course by 9th November 2025. In addition to the driving ban, Jones was fined £450, ordered to pay £300 in prosecution costs, and a £180 surcharge. Payments are to be made in monthly instalments of £70, starting on 28th October 2024.
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