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48 people rescued from sinking boat near Skomer Island | 48 people rescued from sinking boat near Skomer Island |
(about 14 hours later) | |
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. | 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 passengers were transferred to rescue vessels after the boat started taking in water as she was towed back to the mainland. | 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. |
Lady Helen was heading from Martin's Haven to Skomer when she ran aground on a rock at Little Sound, said the coastguard. | Lady Helen was heading from Martin's Haven to Skomer when she ran aground on a rock at Little Sound, said the coastguard. |
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. | 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. |
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. | 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. |
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. | 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. |
"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. | "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. |
"It's 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." | "It's 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." |
All 48 passengers were reported to be safely ashore with no injuries. | All 48 passengers were reported to be safely ashore with no injuries. |
"Everyone has done an excellent job carrying out this rescue, including all the various vessels that responded," said Mr Yelland. | "Everyone has done an excellent job carrying out this rescue, including all the various vessels that responded," said Mr Yelland. |
"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. | 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. | "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. | "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." | "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. | 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. |