Tenby’s RNLI crew were called into action on Saturday afternoon after the occupants of a jetski had been thrown from their craft and were drifting out to sea.
The call to the lifeboat crew came shortly after midday, when the Coastguard received reports that a jetski appeared to have broken down some way off Pendine beach and was drifting out to sea in the offshore breeze.
The lifeboat made best speed to Pendine, eight miles north-east of Tenby and as they arrived on scene, a passing yacht was preparing to assist the casualties, after noticing the drifting jetski.
It turned out that the occupants had been thrown from their craft, which had then blown half a mile away from them, due to the offshore wind, leaving them with no way to get ashore and no means of summoning help.
The Y-boat was launched and recovered both casualties, who were then taken aboard the lifeboat, where they were checked over to ensure they didn’t need any medical assistance. The jetski was then taken in tow towards Pendine.
Once close enough, the jetski and its occupants made their way ashore, none the worse for their ordeal.
With the casualties and their craft safely ashore, the lifeboat was stood down and returned to station.
“We would like to remind people to have suitable means for calling for help, by way of a VHF radio, marine flares or even a mobile phone in a waterproof carry case,” said a spokesperson for Tenby RNLI.
“We are also grateful for the ever watchful eyes of the lifeguards who spotted the jet ski drifting and reported it to the Coastguard. Without them, this incident could have been a lot more serious.”
Tenby’s crew had already been called out earlier in the day when the inshore lifeboat, was requested to launch at 10.40 am, following reports of a kayaker being blow out to sea by a strong offshore breeze off South Beach.
As the volunteer crew were arriving on scene, the RNLI lifeguards were assisting the person ashore, having paddled out to rescue them.
The lifeboat crew gave some safety advice, before returning to station.