RNLI Penarth crew rescue ‘vessel in distress’ at Lavernock Point

A long day out on the water over the weekend saw crew members completing crucial assessments, as well as a callout to a ‘suspected vessel in distress.’

The assessment day saw trainee crew members being tested on crucial skills out on the water, including navigation, anchoring and veering.

Among the day’s successes, volunteer Liv Quinn reached the milestone of passing out from trainee to fully competent crew on the Atlantic 85 lifeboat.

Crew member Liv Quinn on board the Atlantic 85 lifeboat

The training for volunteer crew requires a great deal of dedication, with hundreds of hours of practical and theory-based training, covering topics such as launch and recovery, and using search and rescue radio equipment, char work and local knowledge.

The crew also received a call from Milford Haven Coastguard during the day requesting that they investigate a fishing vessel with potential engine failure which appeared to be drifting towards Lavernock Point.

Penarth’s D-class lifeboat headed to the scene and ensured that the fishing vessel and its crew were safe and well, before returning to the programme of assessments.

Jason Dunlop, lifeboat operations manager at RNLI Penarth Lifeboat Station, said: “We are delighted to congratulate Liv on her pass-out and all the volunteers who completed assessments.

“It’s great to see the hard work and dedication from everyone in the team, which all goes into the provision of our lifesaving service.”