Dedicated to saving lives at sea, Angle RNLI’s volunteer crew saw a busy start to October.

In the morning on Thursday, October 2, the lifeboat launched to aid a 12-metre fishing vessel that had lost all power approximately three miles southeast of Grassholm Island. The vessel was anchored but was dragging slowly.

After assessment by the Coxswain, it was decided that the best course of action was to take the vessel under tow. A tow was established, and a course was set for Milford Docks.

The tow lasted over two hours.

Despite ongoing inspections and limited lock access, Milford Marina went out of their way to make a lock available to ensure the casualty vessel could be brought safely alongside.

Less than an hour later, as the lifeboat was preparing to come alongside the pilot boat jetty, a second tasking came through: a Man Overboard (MOB) alarm had been activated from a vessel within Milford Marina. The Coastguard requested the lifeboat to investigate.

Upon arrival, it was quickly determined that the alarm was a false activation. Crew members went ashore to the pontoons, located the vessel, and spoke with the owner, who confirmed the MOB device had been set off by mistake and no assistance was required.

The crew was thankful that day to The Lord Nelson Hotel for delivering bacon rolls at the lock, after the crew had missed breakfast owing to the early shout.

On Saturday, October 4, the crew took advantage of Storm Amy to practice rough weather handling and as part of the exercise they were tasked to rig a tow.

It’s valuable for the crew to train in all conditions so they’re prepared for all weathers.

At 9am on Sunday, October 5, Angle Lifeboat crew launched to assist a 16ft motorboat that had lost power near the Jolly Sailor at Burton. The vessel had deployed its anchor but was dragging slightly, putting it at risk of running aground.

The lifeboat was on scene within 20 minutes. A tow was quickly established, and the vessel was safely brought alongside the pontoon at Rudder Boatyard.

In the evening the lifeboat crew had a second shout, to rescue three teenagers who had become cut off by the tide between Conduit Beach and Hakin Point.

Also tasked to the incident was a Port Authority pilot boat, which used its searchlights to locate the teenagers stranded on rocks in close proximity the pilot boat jetty. With the pilot boat unable to get close enough to safely recover the individuals, the lifeboat’s Y-boat was launched while the pilot boat remained on scene and illuminated the area for the crews while the all-weather lifeboat stood by alongside the jetty.

The pilot boat then had to leave to carry out pilotage duties. At this point, the lifeboat left the jetty and illuminated the scene for the Y-boat. All three teenagers were recovered and brought aboard the all-weather lifeboat for safe landing. They were found to be uninjured and did not require medical attention.