23rd November 2021. On Monday, the volunteer watchkeepers on afternoon watch at the National Coastwatch Station at Porthcawl were asked by HM Coastguard to assist in a visual search for a person washed off a Fishing Vessel off Scarweather Sands.

A CCTV scan was commenced with a secure link established to Milford Haven Coastguard and within minutes the vessel was spotted heading in a north-easterly direction towards Rest Bay beach at approximately 15 kts. HM Coastguard were advised and NCI

Porthcawl were requested to maintain visual observation. This was maintained until the vessel passed behind Rest Bay point and disappeared from view.

Meanwhile, both Porthcawl RNLI Lifeboats were tasked, along with the Mumbles Lifeboat, both Porthcawl and Port Talbot Coastguard Rescue Teams and Helicopter Rescue 187.

The person was located by Rescue 187 hanging onto a lobster pot marker. Porthcawl RNLI quickly recovered the casualty and Rescue 187’s paramedic/winchman was lowered onto the lifeboat. The casualty was then transferred to the Mumbles Lifeboat for onward transport to their station. The Porthcawl Lifeboat subsequently recovered the fishing vessel and it was safely towed to its home at Porthcawl Marina.

This was another great job thanks to the teamwork by the SAR organisations in South Wales.