News
Double first shout for two Fishguard RNLI volunteers
Two Fishguard RNLI volunteers experienced their first service launch as small motor vessel lost propulsion
Crew were paged at 2.35pm on Saturday 1 February with the request from HM Coastguard to launch the charity’s D class inshore lifeboat Edward Arthur Richardson. The tasking was to assist a small rigid inflatable boat (RIB) which was experiencing loss of propulsion being pushed towards the North breakwater by the prevailing winds.
With the casualty vessel visible within a few hundred metres from the station the volunteer crew launched and were almost immediately alongside the vessel. A risk assessment was made, and it was determined the safest course of action would be to tow the vessel to shore, removing the casualties to safety and preventing the vessel itself from becoming a hazard to other vessels in the port, including the all-weather lifeboat. An alongside tow was established and vessel assisted into the pen adjacent to the lifeboat station.

Whilst it was one of the shortest launches for Fishguard RNLI it allowed two station volunteers to get the experience of their first service launch.
Cathy who joined the crew last year and passed out as a Launch Authority, while having already completed some uneventful periods on duty, this time experienced her first tasking request for a launch.
Launch authorities are the first point of contact for HM Coastguard when a lifeboat is requested, and will authorise the launch, brief the helm or coxswain on the situation and will gather information to provide a report back to RNLI Headquarters in Poole.
It was also the first service launch for trainee inshore lifeboat crew member Rhodri who also joined last year, and on completion of training requirements to be safe to go on service was issued with his pager, and has been waiting for that first shout.
Only a few hours before, Rhodri, amongst other volunteers had been out training, practicing the skills which would be put to use for real later that day.
Fishguard RNLI volunteer trainee inshore lifeboat crew member Rhodri Pugh-Dungey, said: ‘Having your pager go off for the first time definitely gets the adrenaline flowing as you have no idea what you are going to be faced with. Thankfully, all of the training provided by the RNLI had thoroughly prepared me for the situation we encountered. Fortunately we were able to assist the casualty vessel and both crew members, bringing them back to safety.
The crew on-board were experienced and had the correct equipment including lifejackets and had a handheld VHF to request assistance.
I would highly recommend that other members of the community reach out to the station if they wish to volunteer, providing a service to the public is a very rewarding feeling.’
Business
First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead
THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.
The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.
A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, is due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.
The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.
Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.
“The Peak Bergen arrived yesterday with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”
The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.
Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock. Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.
Weather conditions are currently favourable for this morning’s arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.
The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin next week, subject to final police and highway approvals.
A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-bill support for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.
Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.
Photo: Martin Cavaney
Crime
Banned for 40 months after driving with cocaine breakdown product in blood
A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting driving with a controlled drug in her system more than ten times over the legal limit.
SENTENCED AT HAVERFORDWEST
Sally Allen, 43, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 4) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on November 25 to driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit.
The court heard that Allen was stopped on August 25 on the Old Hakin Road at Tiers Cross while driving an Audi A3. Blood analysis showed 509µg/l of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine. The legal limit is 50µg/l.
COMMUNITY ORDER AND REHABILITATION
Magistrates imposed a 40-month driving ban, backdated to her interim disqualification which began on November 25.
Allen was also handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities as directed by the Probation Service.
She was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Her financial penalties will be paid in £25 monthly instalments from January 1, 2026.
The bench—Mrs H Roberts, Mr M Shankland and Mrs J Morris—said her guilty plea had been taken into account when passing sentence.
Local Government
Sewage leak at Pembroke Commons prompts urgent clean-up works
Council pollution officers say they have no enforcement powers over Welsh Water infrastructure
SEWAGE contamination on the Commons in Pembroke has prompted an urgent response from pollution officers, after a leak was reported by a member of the public on Tuesday.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s Pollution Control Team confirmed they were alerted yesterday afternoon to sewage surrounding a manhole cover on the site. The Herald understands that officers immediately notified Welsh Water (DCWW) network technicians to investigate the incident “as a matter of urgency”.
County councillor Jonathan Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, said the authority had been clear that it holds no enforcement powers over Welsh Water assets.
“Whilst we work constructively with Welsh Water, we have no authority to intervene on their apparatus or to carry out enforcement action against them for such pollution incidents,” the Pollution Control Team said in a statement shared with the councillor.
Urgent works underway
Council officers visited the site on Wednesday morning alongside contractors and Welsh Water technicians to assess clean-up options. According to the team, works will include cleaning the contaminated ground in and around the manhole cover and fencing off the affected area “until safe”.
Cllr Grimes said officers would return to the scene on Thursday to check on progress and ensure the area is properly secured.
Residents who notice any further issues have been urged to contact the Pollution Control Team directly.
Further updates are expected later this week.
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