RNLI, HM Coastguard boat crews rescue occupants from burning yacht off Welsh coast

Photo: HM Coastguard

Personnel from HM Coastguard and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) at Mumbles in southern Wales responded to an incident involving a pleasure craft that caught fire on Saturday, August 13.

Mumbles Coastguard and RNLI rescue teams were despatched to Caswell Bay off Swansea’s Gower peninsula at around 12:39 local time on Saturday following a call for assistance.

Both occupants on the 11-metre yacht were quickly and safely evacuated by one of the two responding lifeboats before both lifeboats created safety cordons on the water.

The Coastguard and RNLI crews worked together to create a cordon on the shore while the yacht continued to burn and eventually ran aground at Brandy Cove. A perimeter was maintained as firefighters tackled the blaze using portable equipment.

Due to oil contamination, the decision was made to evacuate all bathers from the water until the impact of the pollution can be fully assessed.

The Coastguard initially asked the public to stay away from the wreck as it poses a hazard until it is recovered.

On Sunday, August 14, a local pollution control team declared Caswell Bay safe for bathing.


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