Shouts 2012

Callouts Year to Date: 4       Callouts 2011: 32

Launches Year to Date: 3       Launches 2011: 26

Lives Saved to Date: 0       Rescued 2011: 5

24^thJanuary 2012 Call 4 of 2012 'Missing Person’

Launched Lifeboats = 2(B-Class"Coventry and Warwickshire" B-769 and D Class “Anne Stock” D-696)Rescued Persons = 0

HMRC Swansea paged for assistance at 18:50hrs following a report of a single male possibly entered the sea in the Royal Sands, Severn Road area of Weston Bay. LOM responded with authority to launch both Weston lifeboats and search 1000 metres either side of Royal Sands. Both boats launched at 18:58hrs and proceeded at best speed to reported casualty area

Joined by Weston mobile coastguard unit, a thorough search progressed along the beach and B769 extended the search along the drift zone and North shore of Brean Down to Howe Rock.

7 White flares used during search with authority from Swansea HMRC. Search continued covering the entire length of Weston Bay.

With no casualty found, both lifeboats were instructed to stand down by Swansea at 21:00 hrs and returned to Station where they were re fuelled and made ready for service.

Crew stood down at 21:45hrs

22^rd January 2012 Call 3 of 2012 'Report of distressed person on Birnbeck Pier'

Launched Lifeboats = 0

At 17:48Hrs Mrcc Swansea paged LOM to request keyholder to attend Birnbeck Pier to give access to Police and Ambulance personnel following a report of a person thought to be on the Pier.

After several telephone conversations between the LOM and Mrcc Swansea, it was agreed to bring the boats to "Immediate Readiness" and Crew paged accordingly. On arrival at the Pier, Police were given access and the Crew made their way to the Boathouse and the Boats were made ready. At 18:00 Hrs, the Police advised that the reported casualty had been located elsewhere in the town safe and well and the crew were stood down accordingly. The call was logged as False Alarm with Good Intent

Lifeboats made ready for service at 18:00hrs.

15^thJanuary 2012 Call 2 of 2012 'Report of Person thought to be in difficulties on Black Rock'

Launched Lifeboats = 1 (B-Class "Coventry and Warwickshire" B-769) Rescued Persons = 0

At 10:58 Hrs. Mrcc Swansea contacted the LOM and B-769 to advise of a report from a member of the public of a person on Black Rock near the River Axe Estuary Weston Bay thought to be in difficulties. Mrcc Swansea requested B-769 be diverted from Exercise in the Flat and Steep Holm area to investigate the report. B-769 arrived on scene at BlackRock at 11:14 Hrs. Angler Fishing quite happily and after a quick chat with him advised Mrcc Swansea accordingly. Mrcc Swansea released B-769 at 11:20 Hrs to return to their Exercise

B-769 eventually arrived back at station at 12:25 Hrs and was recovered up the slipway at 12:35 Hrs.

B-769 was Re-fuelled, Washed down and"Ready for Service" at 13:10 Hrs.

CREW STOOD DOWN AT 13:20 HOURS.

3^rd January 2012 Call 1 of 2012 'Report of unidentified flashing light'

Launched Lifeboats = 1 (B-Class "Maritime Nation" B-767R) Rescued Persons = 0

At 21:35 Hrs Mrcc Swansea paged to request investigation of a report of flashing light between Birnbeck Island and Steep Holm Island. Prior to call, Weston Police and Coastguard had focused on a flashing light that responded to their flashing torch thereby creating a real concern that a casualty was either in the sea or in a vessel and in difficulty.

In light of this concern, the DLA authorised a launch of the Atlantic lifeboat in order to investigate. The weather was inclement with a near gale and poor visibility so the helmsman and crew were not able to use full speed and proceeded with caution through thebreaking surf.

On arrival at the suspected site, a thorough search could find no casualty and Swansea agreed that the search should be called off. It is believed that the flashing light was in fact the Waverider Bouy.

Lifeboat returned to Station for refuelling and made ready for service at 23:10hrs.