A trawler with six crew members had to be rescued by local RNLI crews after becoming stranded 28 miles out to sea.
The vessel was located 17 miles north west of New Quay after the alarm was sounded at 6.41pm.
Despite blustery weather conditions described as 'poor and deteriorating’, New Quay lifeboat managed to establish a tow.
By midnight, conditions had deteriorated to force 9 and, with Fishguard lifeboat standing by, the crew began a 28-mile tow, arriving in Fishguard at 3am.
With conditions continuing to worsen, the lifeboat crew stayed in Fishguard and arrived back at New Quay around 11am the following morning – 16 hours after setting out.
The 16.5m commercial fishing vessel, which had six people on board, had suffered steering failure.
Speaking after the rescue, Dan Potter, New Quay RNLI’s coxswain, said: "The weather conditions were extremely challenging but we quickly set up a tow line in very difficult conditions.
“We began the tow with Fishguard’s lifeboat standing by, alongside the casualty. We had discussed towing options and agreed that the safest course of action would be for New Quay’s lifeboat to complete the full 28 mile tow to Fishguard harbour.
“By midnight the conditions had worsened to a severe gale force 9. In uncomfortable seas, with spray limiting visibility, we relied heavily on our radar and AIS receivers.”
After entering Fishguard harbour at 2.35am, New Quay lifeboat transferred the tow to Fishguard RNLI’s Trent class lifeboat and, in difficult conditions, assisted Fishguard lifeboat in manoeuvring the vessel alongside the harbour wall. With the casualty and both lifeboats safely moored, the crews went ashore for a well-earned cup of tea.
Roger Couch, New Quay RNLI’s lifeboat operations manager added: “This was a gruelling task for the crew in some very challenging conditions.
"Throughout we were grateful to know that another all-weather lifeboat was in attendance and I’d like to thank both crews for their hard work during this tough shout.”