Both of Tenby’s RNLI lifeboats were requested to launch at 12.10 pm on Tuesday following a report to Milford Haven Coastguard that a 21-foot vessel had suffered engine failure close to the shore at Marros sands and was in danger of being swamped and washed ashore.

The all-weather lifeboat was quickly on the water, followed closely by the inshore lifeboat which had been tasked in case the casualty vessel was too close to the shore for the bigger lifeboat to reach.

As lifeboats headed for Marros, it became apparent that the casualty vessel was underway again, after the owner managed to restart his engine, so the lifeboats escorted him towards Saundersfoot. A short time later, the engine failed again, so the vessel was taken in tow by volunteer crew of the inshore lifeboat.

Once at the entrance to Saundersfoot Harbour, the owner of the casualty vessel managed to restart the engine again and took the vessel into the harbour under its own power, escorted by the inshore lifeboat.

With the casualty vessel safely back alongside at Saundersfoot, the lifeboats were both stood down and returned to station, arriving at 1.25 pm.