Flares lead RNLI to drifting fishing boat

29/09/2022

The crew of a fishing boat that drifted for eight hours after breaking down off the Wales coast, signalled their position to rescuers using flares.

Angle and Dale RNLI crews were asked to search off southwest Pembrokeshire for the 20ft fishing boat with two people aboard one day in September.

The coastguard initially tried to reach the vessel via VFH radio, contacted other boats and issued a Pan-Pan emergency message, without success.

Angle’s all-weather lifeboat was asked to search the north shoreline and then Grassholm island. St David’s all-weather lifeboat and Coastguard rescue helicopter R187 were also requested to help.

While the search was being conducted, the two casualties managed to speak to the coastguard. While en route, the lifeboat crew used the radar to pinpoint their position.

When the lifeboat got close to the missing boat, the casualties fired a red distress flare. The coastguard helicopter was first to locate the vessel, they provided illumination via searchlights until the lifeboat arrived alongside.

Both people in the fishing boat were safe and well and they and the vessel were taken ashore to Gelliswick beach.

The image is from Angle RNLI’s Facebook page.