St Davids RNLI were paged by HM Coastguard on Saturday to reports of a small fishing vessel in difficulty around the area of the Shoe rock - during the lifeboat station’s ‘open day’ event.

Unsure if the report related to a vessel with fuel issues resolved earlier in the day, HM Coastguard requested assistance to investigate the incident on August 23. With crew already at the lifeboat station following the annual open day, the inshore lifeboat Marian and Alan Clayton launched around 5.40pm and conducted a search of the area around to Porthclais harbour.

With nothing found, and satisfied that this report related to the earlier issue, St Davids volunteer crew were stood down and returned to station at 5.55pm.

The open day itself saw over 260 people visit and partake in station and lifeboat tours, with an additional 90 people watching the launch from the viewing gallery and many spectators on the coast path.

The all-weather, inshore and Tamar class daughter boat all took to the sea to the delight of the viewing crowds.

John Williams, Lifeboat Operations Manager for St Davids RNLI lifeboat, said: “This year’s open day saw a record number of visitors and our launch drew a huge crowd. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank not just our supporters but our volunteer crew, fundraisers and water safety team for giving up their time to make the day such a success.”