Tenby RNLI crew members were called to assist with a multi agency search for missing and broken down cockle boats.

On the evening of Saturday, November 8, Ferryside RNLI working with Tenby and Burry Port crews, rescue helicopter 387 were tasked to the multi agency search.

Tenby’s all-weather lifeboat was launched at 6.15pm, after the Coastguard received reports that several cockle boats appeared to be in difficulty in the vicinity of Ferryside, 13 miles north-east of Tenby.

The volunteer crew made best speed to the area. The Ferryside crew quickly located and assisted two cockle boats in getting ashore, whilst the other lifeboats, helicopter and shored based teams searched for any other boats requiring assistance.

All vessels were towed or escorted back and with welcome news of no further boats unaccounted for, RNLI crew were all stood down, with Tenby lifeboat arriving back at its station at 9pm.

A spokesperson for Ferryside RNLI said: “Searching at night in poor conditions is difficult, the coordination efforts of the HM coastguard MRCC in Milford Haven gave everyone involved clear direction and up to date information making the search less difficult. As always, it’s a real pleasure working with our sister rescue stations.”