THE ANGLE All-Weather Lifeboat was requested to launch at 3:27pm on Wednesday afternoon following 999 calls to the coastguard reporting a yacht had hit the western end of the South Hook LNG terminal. Initial concerns were that the yacht was stuck to the terminal and what damage had been caused.
The lifeboat launched and made the short journey to the casualty vessel who was now away from the terminal. A passing boat had offered assistance, before a range safety vessel also responded and passed a line to the yacht at the request of Milford Haven VTS.

The lifeboat went alongside the yacht to assess for damage, water ingress or injuries but apart from a few scratches and some sail damage all was well onboard. With little wind, and a faulty engine the yacht had been taken towards the terminal with the flooding tide. With no means of propulsion and not being able to sail, the vessel was taken in tow up the Haven towards the Cleddau Bridge where a workboat from Rudders Boatyard had been arranged to rendezvous with the lifeboat and take over the tow back to their pontoon.

After a 40 minute tow, the vessel was safely handed over to Rudders staff and the lifeboat was stood down to return to station where she was readied for service once again by 5:30pm.

The following day, the crew had launched to rendezvous with Tenby Lifeboat in the Stackpole Head area for a planned towing exercise. Shortly after completing their successful exercise, the lifeboat was just passing St Govan’s Head bound for Angle when the Coastguard tasked the crew to assist a yacht with two persons onboard in a position south of Skokholm Island. The yacht had a fuel leak, and following concerns from Milford Haven VTS regarding pollution the lifeboat was requested to assess the vessel and assist as appropriate.

The lifeboat made the 40 minute journey to the vessel’s last reported position and once on scene an assessment was made. The skipper of the yacht confirmed that it was his fuel tank that was leaking and he was unable to effect a repair.

The engine was stopped in an attempt to slow the leak and contain it to the yachts bilges. With little wind to sail, the yacht was taken under tow and safely placed alongside in the lock pits at Milford Marina around 90 minutes later. With no further assistance required, the lifeboat and her crew were stood down to return to station where she was readied for service again by 3pm.