Less than 10 hours after a yacht wrecked on rocks in Pembrokeshire - leaving a significant trail of debris in the water and beach - including harmful items such as fuel cans, paints and butane canisters - it was cleaned up with almost no trace, thanks to local volunteers rounded up by the Sea Trust!

Pembrokeshire County Council said that it was aware of the yacht which had run onto rocks at Lower Town, Fishguard; and that council officers had been on site (on March 6) to assess the situation and clear debris.

A Notice to Mariners was also issued warning of the potential for floating debris.

The wreckage saw volunteers race into action to ensure that wreckage was cleaned up promptly, with the Sea Trust sharing: “Feeling very proud of the team today! An amazing response by Fishguard and Goodwick residents, RNLI Fishguard Lifeboat members, PCC harbour team and our volunteers and staff.

“Less than 10 hours after a yacht wrecked in Lower town, it was cleaned up with almost no trace!”

Fishguard RNLI said that the incident served as a reminder of the force of nature.

“This vessel broke up on rocks at Lampit having parted from its mooring sometime overnight into this morning. Coastguard attended, and two of our crew went to have a look at the wreckage,” they stated

“Seeing the amount of debris, particularly plastics they made contact with our friends at Sea Trust to advise them, whereby they rallied a group of willing volunteers to come and assist with the clear up.

“The harbourmaster also attended with a 4x4 and together removed a significant amount of debris from the beach, including harmful items such as part full fuel cans, paints and small butane canisters.

“Pembrokeshire County Council Environmental team then arrived with a JCB to remove the remaining large portion of the vessel and its mast. It was great to see such community spirit in those who turned up to help.”

Fishguard RNLI said that it first encountered this vessel on July 29 last year.

“Our flank station RNLI Cardigan Lifeboat attended a report that it was taking on water near Cardigan Island. They were able to come alongside and transfer crew and a salvage pump onboard,” the organisation explained.

“The casualty had been using a manual pump which was keeping on top of the water ingress but was experiencing fatigue. With no suitable place nearby for the vessel they began towing it towards Fishguard and requested the assistance of our all-weather lifeboat 'Blue Peter VII' to meet them and take over the tow.

“Our second encounter was when the owner returned on 8 September and our inshore lifeboat 'Edward Arthur Richardson' was launched to a report of a dinghy in trouble within the harbour.

“Due to the poor condition of this dinghy the casualty entered the water but was able to self recover and our crew assisted him back to the lifeboat station. Since then the vessel has been situated in different positions between the harbour and Lower Town.”