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48 people rescue from sinking boat near Skomer Island 48 people rescued from sinking boat near Skomer Island
(about 1 hour later)
Nearly 50 passengers, including children, have been rescued from a boat after it struck a rock and started taking in water off Pembrokeshire. A total of 48 passengers, including children, have been rescued from a boat after it struck a rock and was in danger of sinking off Pembrokeshire.
The Lady Helen had been sailing from Martin's Haven to nearby Skomer Island.The Lady Helen had been sailing from Martin's Haven to nearby Skomer Island.
A mayday was sent out and a number of other boats went to its rescue, including its sister boat, the Dale Princess. A mayday was sent out and passengers were transferred to rescue vessels after the boat started taking in water as she was towed back to the mainland.
Milford Haven coastguard said all 48 passengers were "safely ashore with no injuries".Milford Haven coastguard said all 48 passengers were "safely ashore with no injuries".
Boat trips are popular to Skomer, a wildlife sanctuary and home to colonies of thousands of sea birds just off the Pembrokeshire coast.Boat trips are popular to Skomer, a wildlife sanctuary and home to colonies of thousands of sea birds just off the Pembrokeshire coast.
Diver Dr Pauline Crossland picked up passengers on her friend's boat, Over Dale. Lady Helen was heading from Martin's Haven to Skomer when she ran aground on a rock at Little Sound, said the coastguard.
"We were a group of divers who were on our way out and a mayday call was put out," said Dr Crossland. A mayday alert was issued at 12:55 BST and the RNLI lifeboats from Angle and St David's were scrambled, along with a Dyfed-Powys Police rib and an RAF helicopter from Chivenor in Devon.
"The Lady Helen was going from Martin's Haven to Skomer and it had run aground on some rocks between the island. Sister boat the Dale Princess managed to drag the Lady Helen off the rock using a line but she began taking in water as they headed back to shore.
"A number of boats had to go to its rescue. Milford Haven Coastguard watch manager Barrie Yelland told BBC Wales: "Several vessels in the area also responded and went to the assistance of Lady Helen.
"Between them, the boats disembarked 40 passengers." "They started to tow her back to Martin's Haven but unfortunately she started to sink and they decided to transfer all the passengers to the other vessels.
The sister boat, the Dale Princess, managed to drag the sinking Lady Helen off the rocks and began pulling her gently further ashore. "It's not something we try not to do unless we have to because there's a danger in transferring people at sea but it came apparent there was no option."
The RNLI and police boats are also in attendance. All 48 passengers were reported to be safely ashore with no injuries.
Dr Crossland, a GP from Pembrokeshire, said: "We had quite a few children and elderly ladies on our boat. The children were initially a bit scared. They said the boat had been listing. But once we gave them a Twix each they were fine." "Everyone has done an excellent job carrying out this rescue, including all the various vessels that responded," said Mr Yelland.
Milford Haven coastguard said the alert was raised at 12:55 BST when the Lady Helen issued a mayday alert.
The boat had struck a rock in Little Sound, between Martin's Haven and Skomer Island.
It became stuck and began taking on water when she was pulled free by another boat.
"We can report that all 48 passengers are now safely ashore with no injuries," said Milford Haven Coastguard watch manager Barrie Yelland.
"The vessel has now been beached at a place called Martin's Haven and there are three salvage pumps on board and she is being pulled further up the shore.
"Everyone has done an excellent job carrying out this rescue, including all the various vessels that responded."
The RNLI lifeboats from Angle and St David's were involved, along with a Dyfed-Powys Police rib and an RAF helicopter from Chivenor in Devon.
"Special thanks must also go out to the boat Over Dale," said the watch manager."Special thanks must also go out to the boat Over Dale," said the watch manager.
One of those helping passengers was diver Dr Pauline Crossland, on board Over Dale.
"We were a group of divers who were on our way out and a mayday call was put out," she said.
"A number of boats had to go to its rescue.
"We had quite a few children and elderly ladies on our boat. The children were initially a bit scared. They said the boat had been listing. But once we gave them a Twix each they were fine."
Lady Helen was beached at Martin's Haven and there are three salvage pumps on board and she was being pulled further up the shore.
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