Shouts 2010
Callouts Year to Date: 21 Callouts 2009: 36
Launches Year to Date: 33 Launches 2009: 50
Rescued Year to Date: 27 Rescued 2009: 13
24 July 2010 10:30 Call 21 of 2010 Speedboat in difficulties and drifting
Launched Lifeboats = 2 (Atlantic 75 "Coventry and Warwickshire" B-769 & D-Class "Anna Stock" B-696) Rescued Persons = 3
Report of small speedboat in difficulties and drifting near Steep Holm. Both lifeboats launched and proceeded at best speed to the casualty vessel. 3 persons transferred from the vessel to the Atlantic lifeboat B-769, and lifeboat crew member put aboard in order to secure a tow line. The casualty vessel was secured to the lifeboat mooring at 11:20hrs, and the 3 casualties transferred to D-Class B-696 for recovery ashore. With the assistance of the crew during Sunday Voluntary Training Session, the owners recovered the casualty vessel onto a trailer at Knightstone Harbour.
14 July 2010 22:57 Call 20 of 2010 Search for woman last seen near Royal Sands
Launched Lifeboats = 2 (Atlantic 75 "Coventry and Warwickshire" B-769 & D-Class "Anna Stock" B-696) Rescued Persons = 1
MRCC requested immediate launch of both lifeboats to search for a person last seen entering the water in the area of Royal Sands on Weston Beach. The D-Class was tasked to search from the Grand Pier down Weston Bay towards Black Rock. The Atlantic went to a point immediately off the beach from where the Coastguard and Police were positioned, in line with their last sighting of the casualty. Before the Atlantic had begun its search the D-Class crew called in that they had located the casualty face down in the water. A D-Class crew member entered the water and was supporting the casualty who was then transferred onto the Atlantic Lifeboat. The helmsman then beached the boat alongside the Police and Coastguard onshore so emergency medical treatment could be administered. The casualty was later handed over to the ambulance service for transfer to hospital.
10 July 2010 15:12 Call 19 of 2010 Report of 2 young people stuck in mud on tideline
Launched Lifeboats = 1 (D-Class "Anna Stock" B-696) Rescued Persons = 0.
MRCC Swansea advised of several young people on the tideline appearing to be in difficulties. D-Class "Anna Stock" was launched and proceeded at best speed to the location, where 12 young people of varying ages were found. Crewman Steve Walker waded to the casualties, and advised of the dangerous conditions in the mud, and that until the water met the sand line on the beach it is advisable to stay out of the water.
After accepting the sea safety advice, the members of the public made their way ashore, under the watchful eye of the crew of B-696. Once all casualties were out of danger, the lifeboat and crew returned to station.
30 June 2010 10:55 Call 18 of 2010 Report of vessel in possible distress
Launched Lifeboats = 2 (Atlantic 75 "Coventry and Warwickshire" B-769 & D-Class "Anna Stock" B-696) Rescued Persons = 0.
MRCC Swansea requested the launch of both lifeboats to investigate reports of a vessel in possible difficulties in Weston Bay. Both lifeboats proceeded at best speed to the vessel which was identified as a small private angling boat with 2 occupants. The occupants confirmed they were quite happy fishing and did not require any assistance. Both lifeboats carried out a thorough search of the area and found nothing untoward. Call categorised as "False Alarm with Good Intent".
27 June 2010 16:30 Call 17 of 2010 Search for missing young person
Launched Lifeboats = 2 (Atlantic 75 "Coventry and Warwickshire" B-769 & D-Class "Anna Stock" B-696) Rescued Persons = 0.
MRCC Swansea requested launch to assist the Coastguard in a search along the Weston Bay shoreline for a missing 12 year old female who had not returned to her famnily after heading towards the incoming tide. Both boats were recalled as entering the water, as the casualty had been found safe and well.
20 June 2010 18:15 Call 16 of 2010 Sighting of Semi-Submerged Object in Weston Bay
Launched Lifeboats = 1 (Atlantic 75 "Coventry and Warwickshire" B-769 ) Rescued Persons = 0.
As the Lifeboat Operations Manager was preparing to leave the Lifeboat Station following the previous callout, he noticed an object in the warer 1 nautical mile from the boathouse, and on inspection with binoculars confirmed it to be the bows of a White and Black speedboat fitting the description of the vessel sunk earlier in the day. The Lifeboat Operations Manager considered this to be a hazard, and potential cause of a future call, several of the crew were made ready to launch and recover the object. B-769 was made ready and launched with a brief to investigate. It was deemed feasable to attempt a further recovery of the speedboat by dragging to the surface and bailing out the water before recovering to the station. The speedboat was floated onto the Do-Do carriage and subsequently towed up the Launching Ramp and unloaded outside of the RNLI compound. B-769 was then recovered and made ready for service at 20:20.
20 June 2010 15:56 Call 15 of 2010 Speedboat in difficulties
Launched Lifeboats = 1 (D-Class "Anna Stock" B-696) Rescued Persons = 3.
At 15:56 MRCC Swansea advised of a report of a small speedboat in difficulties in Weston Bay, and requested immediate launch to investigate. D-696 was launched, and proceeded at best speed to the casualty vessel. The 3 occupants of the casualty vessel were transferred into the Lifeboat, and a tow was rigged to the vessel. The casualty vessel was leaking badly, and sank shortly after beginning the tow. The tow line came loose from the casualty vessel, and was recovered onboard the lifeboat. The casualties were recovered to the boathouse, and a search undertaken in the area of the sunken vessel for any items that may have come loose. Nothing waas found, D-696 was returned to the boathouse and made ready for service at 17:35.
16 June 2010 20:10 Call 14 of 2010 Person in distress
Launched Lifeboats = 2 (Atlantic 75 "Coventry and Warwickshire" B-769 & D-Class "Anna Stock" B-696) Rescued Persons = 1.
Upon leaving the boathouse following a normal training session, Helmsman Paul Giles discovered a distressed woman with significant injuries sitting on a rock outcrop at the entrance to Birnbeck Pier. Paul Giles contacted the lifeboat station landline, and requested the immediate re-launch of both lifeboats to stand off at the cliff base, and also to contact the Police, Ambulance Service and MRCC Swansea to advise of the incident.
First Aid was administered to the casualty, who was prevented from causing themselves further harm. Police arrived on scene soon afterwards, and Ambulance Personnel took over from the RNLI Crew. The Casualty was taken by Ambulance to Weston Hospital for further treatment and assessment.
Both boats were returned to station, and made ready for service at 21:10.
16 June 2010 17:00 Call 13 of 2010 Persons in Difficulty in rubber dinghy off Knightstone Harbour
Launched Lifeboats = 1 (Atlantic 75 "Coventry and Warwickshire" B-769) Rescued Persons = 0.
MRCC Swansea advised of a report of two young persons in a Rubber (plastic) Dinghy in difficulties just off Knightstone Harbour. As B-769 was moving towards the launching slipway, Swansea MRCC advised the Launch Authority that the casualties were now safely ashore at Knightstone. Launch was cancelled, and the lifeboat was recovered to the compound, and made ready for service.
9 June 2010 22:17 Call 12 of 2010 False Alarm with Good Intent - Report of White Lights near mouth of River Axe
Launched Lifeboats = 1 (Atlantic 75 "Coventry and Warwickshire" B-769) Rescued Persons = 0.
MRCC Swansea requested launch in order to investigate a report of a white light in the area of the Juicy Bouy at the mouth of the River Axe estuary. B-769 proceeded at best speed and arrived to search the area at 22:27. On Investigation it was found that the reported light was in fact the Juicy Bouy Navigation Marker.
31 May 2010 17:34 Call 11 of 2010 Recovery of family trapped in mud
Launched Lifeboats = 2 (Atlantic 75 "Coventry and Warwickshire" B-769 & D-Class "Anna Stock" B-696) Rescued Persons = 9.
Both Weston-super-Mare RNLI Lifeboats, plus the RAF helicopter Rescue 169 were called to rescue nine family members trapped by the mud at the entrance to the River Axe.
At 1734 Swansea Coastguard informed Weston Lifeboat Station that nine persons were in difficulties in the mouth of the River Axe. Both lifeboats were launched within minutes of being paged and proceeded to the scene at best speed. The D Class lifeboat "Anna Stock" was first on the scene to find three adults and six children from Birmingham had been trying to cross the River Axe to get to the Brean shore. They had become stuck in the mud and were exhausted and in difficulties.
The children, one of whom was only an infant, were suffering greatly from exhaustion so the lifeboat beached itself alongside them and the crew assisted the worst affected casualties on board. Here they were given first aid, including the use of space blankets to warm them up as they were starting to develop hypothermia. The helicopter, Rescue 169, from RAF Chivenor had been summoned and five of the casualties were airlifted to the shore. The other four were picked up by the Atlantic 75 life boat "Coventry and Warwickshire" which ferried them to the shore at Weston Bay Yacht Club.
The lifeboats then waited until the tide refloated the "Anna Stock" and they both then proceeded back to their base on Birnbeck Island and readied for service by 1855.
RNLI Helmsman Liam McDermott said, "This is the most dangerous part of Weston Bay. It looks simple to cross but is impossible. If you are a local person and see anyone trying to cross here make sure you warn them of the dangers and call the emergency services if they get into difficulties."
Pictured - Left: Crew of D-Class "Anna Stock" B-696, recovery casualties from mud.
Right: Helo Rescue 169 hovering over Lifeboat D-Class "Anna Stock" B-696
23 May 2010 22:10 Call 10 of 2010 False Alarm - Good intent
Launched Lifeboats = 1 (D-Class "Anna Stock" B-696) Rescued Persons = 0.
At 22:10 MRCC Swansea requested immediate launch to assist a sailing vessel aground in difficulties in Sand Bay. D-696 was launched and proceded at best speed, arriving close to the casualty vessel "Trinity" at 22:30. Contact was made with the skipper who confirmed that they were not in any difficulty, and were awaiting the incoming tide before proceeding to Newport, South Wales. D-696 arrived back on station at 22:50.
9 May 2010 15:23 Call 9 of 2010 Kite Surfer reported in difficulty
Launched Lifeboats = 1 (Atlantic 75 "Coventry and Warwickshire" B-769) Rescued Persons = 0.
At 15:23 a report was received from one of the North Somerset Beach Ranger's of a Kite Surfer who appeared to be in difficulties some 200m off of the North Side of Brean Down. As B-769 was already afloat on exercise for the RNLI Storm Force Day, she was diverted to investigate. B-769 arrived on scene at 15:26 and located 2 kite surfers in a small powered tender. It was confirmed that no assistance was required, and all being well B-769 returned to station at 15:45.
2 May 2010 11:10 Call 8 of 2010 Female Kite Surfer Swept off Beach without Board
Launched Lifeboats = 1 (D-Class "Anna Stock" B-696) Rescued Persons = 1.
At 1010 the Weston RNLI D Class Lifeboat "Anna Stock" was on exercise near Knightstone Harbour. A member of the public saw a kite surfer in trouble off Brean Down and called the Coastguard.
Swansea Coastguard tasked the "Anna Stock" to investigate and they proceeded at best speed. They could see the kite surfer by Black Rock but by the time they reached her she had been dragged further out to sea. On reaching her it was apparent that her harness had become twisted and she could not reach to release herself. She had been dragged under water and when she was bought aboard the lifeboat she was nearly unconscious and having breathing difficulties. The Lifeboat Crew gave her first aid and informed Swansea of her serious condition.
The RAF Helicopter from Chivenor, Rescue 169, was about to begin a training exercise near Burnham and so Swansea Coastguard tasked her to collect the casualty from the Anna Stock and take her to Weston General hospital.
RNLI Helmsman Nigel Congram said, "The surfer was in trouble. If we had not have been quite close when she got into trouble the outcome could have had more serious consequences."
1 May 2010 00:04 Call 7 of 2010 Report of missing female
Launched Lifeboats = 2 (Atlantic 75 "Coventry and Warwickshire" B-769 & D-Class "Anna Stock" B-696) Rescued Persons = 0.
MRCC Swansea advised of a report from Police of a missing female in a distressed state. Immediate launch was undertaken by both lifeboats, and a shoreline search of the tideline carried out. At 00:35 MRCC Swansea advised that the missing female had been found in the town centre.
29 April 2010 15:17 Call 6 of 2010 Rib aground on Langford Grounds
Launched Lifeboats = 2 (Atlantic 75 "Coventry and Warwickshire" B-769 & D-Class "Anna Stock" B-696) Rescued Persons = 3.
MRCC Swansea advised of 18' RIB aground on Langford Grounds, approximately 2 miles from Clevedon. Immediate launch of both lifeboats undertaken, proceeding at best speed to casualty vessel. A crew member was put on board and it was agreed to tow the casualty vessel to Portishead Quays Marina. After giving the casualties suitable safety advice on behalf of the HM Coastguard, crew and lifeboats returned to station at 17:25.
23 April 2010 16:19 Call 5 of 2010 Person in Distress
Launched Lifeboats = 2 (Atlantic 75 "Coventry and Warwickshire" B-769 & D-Class "Anna Stock" B-696) Rescued Persons = 1.
MRCC Swansea requested assistance to a distressed male believed to be on the River Axe. Both lifeboats launched, and assisted police in recovery of the distressed individual. Returned to station at 17:35.
20 April 2010 17:40 Call 4 of 2010 Request to assist sailing cruiser
Launched Lifeboats = 1 (Atlantic 75 "Coventry and Warwickshire" B-769) Rescued Persons = 0.
MRCC Swansea reported a Sailing Cruiser in difficulties off Redcliff Bay, Portishead. Atlantic 75, Coventry and Warwickshire, B-769 was launched and proceeded towards Portishead. At 18:09 MRCC Swansea advised that the casualty vessel was now underway under its own power, and proceeding to the entrance of the River Avon at Avonmouth. B-769 was stood down and returned to station at 18:20.
22 March 2010 14:00 Call 3 of 2010 Recovery of Yacht and Crew
Launched Lifeboats = 2 (Atlantic 75 "Coventry and Warwickshire" B-769 & D-Class "Anna Stock" B-696) Rescued Persons = 3.
MRCC Swansea reported a 33' Sailing Cruiser in difficulties just North of Langford Grounds. Both boats were launched, and proceeded at best speed to the scene. Atlantic B-769 put a crew member aboard the casualty vessel to assess the condition of the persons on board. A tow was established, and necessary treatment of the casualties was undertaken by the crew. The casualties were recovered to Birnbeck Island and assessed by an Ambulance crew. Both lifeboats were recovered at 16:30.
13 March 2010 19:50 Call 2 of 2010 Search following Red Flare
Launched Lifeboats = 2 (Atlantic 75 "Coventry and Warwickshire" B-769 & D-Class "Anna Stock" B-696) Rescued Persons = 0.
MRCC Swansea requested the launch of both lifebaots following the report of a Red Flare off Marine Lake in Weston Bay. Both boats proceeded at best speed, and commenced a search of the area. The search found nothing, and was accompanied by Helicopter Rescue 169. All stood down at 20:45 and returned to station.
13 February 2010 13:35 Call 1 of 2010 Kite Surfers in Difficulty
Launched Lifeboats = 2 (Atlantic 75 "Coventry and Warwickshire" B-769 & D-Class "Bobby's Boat" B-700R) Rescued Persons = 2.
On Saturday Weston-super-Mare RNLI lifeboats were launched on their first service of 2010 when two kite surfers were spotted apparently in difficulties off Brean Down.
At 13:35 a member of the public reported a possible kite surfer in trouble off the fort at Brean Down. They informed the coastguard who requested the lifeboats be launched. Also because there was a possibility of a person in the water the RAF Helicopter was also requested.
The Weston lifeboats, the Atlantic 75 Coventry and Warwickshire and the relief D Class Bobby's Boat, were launched within a few minutes and arrived to search the area less than ten minutes later. There was no sign of vessels in trouble or bodies off the fort but they sighted an object near the mouth of the River Axe which turned out to be a 10 foot inflatable dinghy. It had two kite surfers on board who had given up surfing because of lack of wind but were unable to get back up the Axe to their mooring because their engine had failed and the current was too strong. The Atlantic 75 and helicopter were stood down and the D Class towed the dinghy back up the river and ensured they were safely landed ashore before leaving the scene and returning to station. The boats were re-fuelled, washed down and ready for service at 16:05 Hrs.
RNLI Helmsman Liam McDermott said "The occupants were struggling because of the fierce current so were glad of our help. They were well equipped with lifejackets and protective clothing. The only thing they lacked was an anchor which could have stopped them being carried so easily out to sea. We would always advise that any vessel out at sea has an anchor powerful enough to hold the boat as it is a valuable piece of safety equipment which can save lives."