ANGLE RNLI came to the rescue twice in one day on Tuesday, April 1.

Angle All-Weather Lifeboat was requested to launch at 8.39pm following a report of a distressed person shouting for help between the Valero Refinery and Pwllcrochan.

The lifeboat was soon on scene, where the Y boat was deployed to search to the west, while the lifeboat began searching to the east. The crew was soon joined by the Police Marine Unit vessel M66 who also began searching.

Shortly after, crew on the All-Weather Lifeboat spotted some personal belongings on the cliff edge to the east of the refinery. The Y boat and M66 were immediately called over to investigate.

Owing to the nature of the shoreline and steep drop, Y boat crew members were unable to land ashore to investigate the belongings, or get eyes on to see if there was anything else on the cliff edge. With this, the coastguard was updated and a plan made for St Govan’s and Tenby Coastguard Rescue Teams to attempt to access the belongings from the top.

Whilst stood off and waiting, the crew of the lifeboat noticed some movement near the items and shortly after a person appeared from the undergrowth. The Y boat returned in to attempt to engage with the person, which proved difficult.

The Y boat then returned to M66 to collect two police officers and, after an assessment of the area, managed to land them ashore. The police officers then made their way up to the casualty and were able to slowly assist him back to the top of the cliff.

With the casualty secure on the coast path with police and coastguard officers, the Y boat was recovered and the lifeboat and her crew stood down with thanks. The lifeboat was back alongside her berth and readied for further service by 11pm.

Just under five hours earlier, at 3.52pm, the All-Weather Lifeboat was requested to launch following a call for assistance from a 48ft, 14 tonne yacht with four people onboard suffering a fouled propeller off West Angle. With easterly winds of over 30kts, the yacht’s crew was unable to sail so had managed to drop the yacht’s anchor.

Once the lifeboat had arrived on scene, the yacht’s crew recovered the anchor and a tow was passed. The lifeboat began towing the yacht with the intention to take them to the safety of Milford Marina. However, the conditions off the entrance to the marina made bringing the vessel alongside the lifeboat unsafe. The decision was made to continue up river. Unfortunately, it was confirmed that Neyland Marina had no berths available for a yacht of that size, meaning the only option left to the crew was to tow the vessel to a mooring at Rudders Boatyard.

Once safely off Rudders, the vessel was placed into an alongside tow and secured to a mooring. With no further assistance required, the lifeboat and her crew returned to station, where she was readied for further service by 6.30pm.