THE campaign to save New Quay’s all-weather lifeboat has won support from the owners of a Cornish fishing boat which had to be towed to safety after suffering engine failure far out in Cardigan Bay.

The Emma Louise was fishing for whelks on Tuesday of last week when she called for help and was eventually located by the New Quay lifeboat 24 miles to the north-west.

The vessel was towed to Cemaes Head where Fishguard lifeboat took over to take her into Fishguard Harbour – but campaigners say the rescue would not have happened if RNLI restructuring plans are allowed to go ahead.

Under the proposals which the RNLI say will save £8m, New Quay’s Mersey-class all-weather lifeboat will be replaced by an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat in 2020.

Shane Petit, skipper of the Emma Louise, said: “I would like to thank New Quay lifeboat for their response today and a big thanks on behalf of the crew and Rowse Fishing Ltd.

“Every lifeboat is valuable around our coast.”

And Mark and Emma Rowse, co-owners of the stricken vessel and long-time supporters of the RNLI, said: “Thank you New Quay lifeboat, much appreciated. The RNLI need to take a good look at their ‘restructuring’.”

The campaign to save New Quay’s all-weather lifeboat can be found at www.ceredigionlifeboatcampaign.org.uk

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