Volunteers from Cardigan RNLI were tasked to aid a sailing vessel that had lost power and was drifting and taking on water, with a lone sailor requiring assistance.

On the morning of Friday, 9 October at 9am, HM Coastguard tasked Cardigan RNLI’s D class inshore lifeboat to a sailing vessel upriver on the River Teifi, that had lost engine power and was drifting and taking on water.

On arrival at the scene, the Cardigan RNLI crew discovered that the vessel had also experienced a small electrical fire in the engine area, which the sailor had extinguished.

The sailor had moved safely into their tender, a small boat used to travel to and from the larger vessel.

The sailing vessel had run aground, drifting onto a sandbank, with approximately one metre of water inside the cabin.

With no anchor on board, the lifeboat crew used a spare RNLI anchor to help secure the vessel and make it safe ahead of the next high tide, when it is expected to refloat.

The crew then safely escorted the sailor in their tender to The Moorings.

Due to the rough sea conditions on the day, the lifeboat was also recovered at The Moorings, one of the station’s alternative launch and recovery sites.

Paul Adams, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Cardigan RNLI, said: 'We would always encourage anyone heading out on the water to check their engine and equipment before setting off, carry appropriate safety equipment and make sure you have a reliable means of calling for help.

“If you get into difficulty at sea, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.'

The lifeboat crew recovered the D class at The Moorings, where it was returned to the station, refuelled and was ready for service again by 12pm.