Tenby RNLI’s busy open day was cut slightly short due to shouts for both lifeboats.

As the open day was coming to a close on Sunday, August 2, the pagers sounded at 3.40pm, with a request to launch after the coastguard received a call from an 18ft speedboat with engine failure about nine miles east of the station.

After ensuring all visitors had left the boat and the station was ready for launch, the volunteer crew quickly launched the lifeboat to the delight of the members of the public who remained in the station to watch.

The crew then made best speed to the speedboat's last known position.Once on scene, it became clear that the vessel's engine could not be restarted.

As leaving it in its position would have created a navigational hazard, the coxswain made the decision to tow the vessel towards Worm's Head, where the Horton and Port Eynon inshore lifeboat had been tasked with taking over the tow.

Around 40 minutes later, just west of Worm’s Head, the tow was passed over to Horton and Port Eynon lifeboat, who towed the vessel the rest of the way to Port Eynon, where it had launched from earlier in the day.

With the casualty vessel in safe hands, Tenby lifeboat returned to station, arriving shortly before 6pm.As the all-weather lifeboat was mid tow, the inshore lifeboat was also requested to launch after a member of the public reported seeing an adult and possibly two children entering the water near Waterwynch and head towards Monkstone after being cut off by the incoming tide.

The volunteer crew were soon on the water and were on scene at Waterwynch within minutes, where they were tasked to perform a coastline search up as far as Monkstone Point. Also involved in the search was local passenger vessel Caldey Abbey 2, after the skipper answered a call from the coastguard asking for assistance from any vessel in the area.

After performing a thorough search and with nobody found to be in danger or reported missing, the search was stood down, with the lifeboat returning to station and the Caldey Abbey 2 returning to their duties.

A spokesperson for Tenby RNLI said: “Our thanks go out to the skipper and crew of the Caldey Abbey 2 for their assistance.”

The RNLI also apologised for the scheduled open day launch being scrapped due to the all-weather lifeboat being out.

The open day saw a chance to meet the crew, tour the station and the boat, and see what goes on behind the scenes.

“We are really sorry to have to cancel, but hope you understand that operational commitments are out of our control,” shared Tenby RNLI.

“We'd also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who visited us for our open day today. With over 1,300 people through the doors, it was another great success!”

For anyone that would like to see the all-weather lifeboat launch, then one is carried out every Monday at 6.30pm.