Campaigners fighting to prevent New Quay RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat being replaced by a smaller inshore lifeboat say the rescue of a yacht suffering from mechanical failure in Cardigan Bay demonstrated the need to keep an all-weather lifeboat in Ceredigion.

Four RNLI lifeboats from four stations launched on the night of Sunday, 8 September, to respond to a mayday call 30 miles off Cardigan Bay.

The mayday call was very weak and, as the location of the vessel was unclear, Abersoch, Barmouth, New Quay and Aberystwyth RNLI volunteers were all launched over the course of the night in response.

“This incident shows just how important it is to retain an all-weather lifeboat in New Quay,” said a spokesperson for the Ceredigion Lifeboat Campaign.

“This rescue was clearly beyond the capability of an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat and New Quay was the nearest all-weather lifeboat to the casualty vessel.

“The next nearest lifeboat, from Fishguard, was dealing with a separate mayday incident at the same time so would not have been available to respond.”

HM Coastguard received the mayday call from the 30-foot yacht, but communications were lost with the vessel before a location was provided.

Abersoch’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat and Barmouth’s all-weather lifeboat were both tasked at 11.10pm to search an area south of Ynys Enlli for the vessel.

New Quay RNLI volunteers were also requested to prepare the all-weather lifeboat in case the search area was extended.

As the search took place, a fishing trawler located the yacht 30 miles off Cardigan Bay and was able to provide clearer information to the coastguard.

New Quay’s all-weather lifeboat launched at 12.35am and Barmouth and Abersoch lifeboats were both stood down.

New Quay RNLI volunteers arrived on scene and established a tow.

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