LLANTWIT Major Coastguard and Porthcawl RNLI were called out when a yacht ran aground on Llantwit Major Beach.
With 4ft waves hitting the yacht. A member of the Coastguard team climbed aboard and, with the RNLI standing by, helped the yacht’s crewman get safely to dry land.
The yacht had made a distress call to HM Coastguard at 5.48am after it ran aground and was being battered by the surf. Porthcawl launched both its Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Rose of the Shires and its relief D class, Peggy D. When the Atlantic 85 arrived on scene, helm Chris Missen assessed the situation.
He said: “The yacht had one casualty aboard along with a Llantwit Major Coastguard team member who had managed to climb aboard. The yacht was aground and was being constantly rolled about by waves which were around 3ft with larger 4-5ft waves on sets. I decided to put two crew ashore to assist the Coastguard team in getting the casualty off the yacht.
“The Coastguard team member aboard the yacht alerted us to the fact that the casualty had become trapped beneath some loose items in the cockpit. They managed to free the casualty who was then helped to safety by our crew, along with the other Coastguard team members.
“One of our RNLI crew who had boarded the yacht to help get the casualty off did a quick assessment of the yacht and attempted to deploy the yacht’s anchor. Unfortunately, the yacht had sustained significant damage during the incident and was taking on water through its hull. The anchor chain was jammed and could not be freed.
“The casualty was visibly shaken by the incident but otherwise not seriously harmed and was checked over by paramedics in a waiting ambulance.”
Volunteer Launch Authority, Aileen Jones MBE said: “Our volunteer crew were woken early on Monday morning to the sound of their pagers and within minutes went from their beds and were out at sea on the lifeboats.
“This call was a great example of teamwork between our crew and the Coastguard and thankfully no serious harm came to the casualty onboard the The Coastguard team member aboard the yacht. Following the call our crew arrived back at the station at around 8am, just in time to start their working week.”
A spokesperson for Llantwit Major Coastguard said: “Our volunteers were paged in the early hours of this morning to a yacht aground near Llantwit Major beach.
“On scene, one of our crew members climbed aboard and pulled the single crewman from the stricken vessel and with the help of Porthcawl RNLI Lifeboat waded the casualty to the shore.
“Unfortunately, the vessel could not be saved and remains shipwrecked on the shore.
“Whilst the vessel remains in an unstable position please keep your distance and DO NOT attempt to climb onboard. Anything of value has been removed.
Also in attendance were Barry Coastguard and the Welsh Ambulance Service.
Making comment on their involvement, a spokesperson for Barry Coastguard said: “Our Team with Llantwit Major Coastguard, were tasked to the boat aground near Llantwit Major beach.
“We ask that no one goes near the boat at this time. Plans are in place for it to be removed when possible.
“Until that time, it is very dangerous as it is being picked up by the tide and moved around.”
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