Angle RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat responded to a Pan-Pan (urgency) call on Thursday (July 21) from an eight metre RIB, which had run aground, with five people on board, off Pennar Flats in the Milford Haven Waterway.

It was the third call-out in four days for the Tamar class lifeboat Mark Mason, which was launched shortly after 1 pm and reached the location in 16 minutes.

The RIB was hard aground and, with only one hour before low water, the occupants wished to remain with their craft to wait for the incoming tide. As there were concerns regarding the RIB’s engine, the lifeboat remained on the scene in case assistance was needed once the casualty was afloat.

Once afloat, the RIB’s engine was checked and found to be functioning correctly. The casualty then made her way to Neyland Marina.

The lifeboat was released at 4.11 pm to return to her station, where she was rehoused at 4.45 pm.

vessel ‘fire’

The lifeboat was alerted again on Friday night, following a report of a vessel on fire off Hazelbeach in the Milford Haven Waterway.

The Tamar class lifeboat was launched shortly before 9 pm and while making best speed to the location, a local tug in the area reported that it could see no evidence of any vessel on fire.

The lifeboat reached the scene in 11 minutes and the Mid and West Wales Fire Service and Dyfed-Powys Police had also been alerted.

Further investigations revealed that a passing fishing boat was using a power washer on deck, and the spray of water looked like large amounts of smoke.

With all units satisfied that no assistance was needed, the lifeboat was released to return to her station, where she was rehoused at 10.12 pm after her fourth call-out in five days.