The weekend proved a busy time for Porthcawl RNLI Lifeboat volunteers. At 19:21 on Saturday evening the crew received an ‘immediate launch’ page from UK Coastguard Agency at Milford. This followed reports of a casualty in difficulties in the sea near the town’s breakwater.
It is thought a member of the public reported the sighting of the casualty to Porthcawl’s National Coastwatch team who then notified the Coastguard Agency. The RNLI’s D Class lifeboat ‘Jean Ryall’ was launched and the male casualty was recovered from the sea and brought ashore at the lifeboat station where the crew carried out resuscitation until paramedics arrived. The casualty was later transferred to the Princess of Wales hospital at Bridgend.
On Sunday morning, whilst both lifeboats were out on exercise The UK Coastguard Agency tasked the Atlantic 85, ‘Rose of the Shires’ to assist a 30ft day fishing boat 1.5 miles south west of Nash Point when its skipper had reported engine failure. Lifeboat helmsman, Carl Evans, arranged for his crew to set up a tow and the boat and its crew were towed, with the aid of the D class lifeboat during the final stages, safely into Porthcawl marina where repairs could be carried out.
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