THE call came from a 20 foot vessel with two men and a dog on board which had engine failure. The area given was not far from the lifeboat station but when the lifeboat arrived on scene and searched the area nothing was found. The search was then extended to cover the areas of Morfa beach and the Kenfig patches using flares and searchlights but again nothing found. Eventually the coastguard pinged the callers mobile phone and the area where they were was established as Rest Bay close to Porthcawl.
At this point both Porthcawl’s lifeboats were launched to assist with the search, again using flares and searchlights. Eventually the vessel was found aground at Rest Bay. The Port Talbot lifeboat was soon on scene and found the vessel with the two men on board who were suffering from severe hypothermia. First aid treatment was started and the lifeboat was joined by local coastguards.
The decision was then taken to refloat the vessel and the Porthcawl lifeboat towed it to the harbour, which was the closest point to the area. There they were met by coastguards and paramedics and the two men were treated by them. Port Talbot lifeboat then returned to station and was back in the boathouse by 8am.
Pic: Mel Cooper/RNLI
More Stories
Conservatives’ Lack of Action on Obscene Energy Profits “Indefensible” says Welsh Lib Dems
New Audit Office Report on Poverty in Wales supports Plaid Cymru’s calls
Successful Operation targeting anti-social driving across Newport and Monmouthshire