New Quay Lifeboat Station

2008 Lifeboat Services - ALB

Monday 22nd September 2008 - New Quay ALB 'Frank & Lena Clifford of Stourbridge' was launched at 14.30 to assist a vessel with 2 persons on board and a fouled propeller 0.5 miles off Gilfach yr Halen. Locating the 5 metre speedboat ' Crazy Geko' at 14.45 in position 52 degrees 13.89 N, 004 degrees 17.72 W , the lifeboat took the vessel under tow to a mooring in New Quay harbour. The lifeboat was recovered onto the beach at 16.00.

Weather - Wind - NE4, Sea state - slight, Visibility - good.

Crew - Dan Potter, Ben Billingham, Simon Williams, Paul Brierly, Simon Rigby, Ceri Knapgate, Peter Yates.

Monday 8th September 2008 - New Quay ALB 'Frank & Lena Clifford of Stourbridge' was launched on service at 12.15 to assist a vessel 3 miles west of Llanon with 3 persons on board. The 30 foot Sunline cruiser 'Razzle' had found it necessary to shut down her engine due to overheating, possibly caused by a blocked water intake. The lifeboat took her under tow to Aberystwyth where the marina pilot boat took over the tow and placed the vessel safely on her mooring to undergo repairs. The ALB had been launched from her inner harbour mooring at New Quay where she had been placed earlier in the morning to allow repairs and maintenance to be carried out on the carriage launching equipment. She returned to the mooring at 15.45 to await a further launch on exercise at 19.00 and eventual recovery back into the boathouse.

Weather - Wind S 2-3, Sea state - calm, Visibility - good.

Crew - Dan Potter, Ben Billingham, Paul Brierly, Ceri Knapgate, Derek Roberts, Sarah Perry.
 

Saturday 6th September 2008 - New Quay ALB 'Frank & Lena Clifford of Stourbridge' was launched at 12.02 to assist a vessel 16 miles west of Aberystwyth. Milford Haven Coastguard had received a VHF radio call from the yacht 'Galasma', a 30 foot Southerly on passage to Aberystwyth with 5 persons on board that had lost all engine power and was encountering difficulties in the bad weather conditions and heavy seas.
 

Pwllheli ALB approaching casualty	Pwllheli ALB coming alongside New Quay ALB to transfer tow	Pwllheli ALB starting the return passage back to Pwllheli	New Quay ALB coming back into New Quay harbour

On reaching the casualty, the lifeboat attached a towline and proceeded to tow the yacht towards Aberystwyth. With the weather conditions dictating a very slow towing speed and with a falling tide, it was decided that entry into Aberystwyth harbour would be too difficult requiring an alternative, safer port. Following consultations with coastguards at Milford and Holyhead, it was agreed that the lifeboat should alter course north towards Pwllheli and that Pwllheli lifeboat would launch to take over the tow at an agreed rendezvous point. The New Quay towline was successfully transferred to Pwllheli ALB, the Mersey Class 'Lilly & Vincent Anthony', at 15.50 in a position 54 degrees 29.65 North, 004 degrees 36.10 West and both lifeboats started on their passages back to their respective stations.

New Quay ALB returned to station at 17.30 having been at sea for 5.5 hours. After assisting the casualty to moor safely in Pwllheli Marina, Pwllheli ALB returned to station at 21.30 having been at sea for over 7 hours. Although the crew of the 'Galasma' were very tired, cold and wet, suffering from the effects of seasickness, they were all safe and did not require any medical attention.

Weather - Wind - N gale 8, Sea state - very rough, Visibility - poor in heavy rain showers.

Crew - Dan Potter, Bernie Davies, Tim Harrison, Ceri Knapgate, Hanna Nuuttila, Peter Yates.

Sunday 24th August 2008 - New Quay ALB 'Frank & Lena Clifford of Stourbridge' was launched at 13.00 following a request to assist a vessel in difficulties approximately 2 miles west of Gilfach-yr-Halen . The New Quay based yacht 'Blue Moon', a 33 foot Westerly Fulmar owned by Mike Masters and Nigel Howes had fouled the propeller in a submerged pot line and was unable to free itself and get underway. On locating the casualty, lifeboat crewmember Tomas Davies went into the water in an attempt to remove the rope but was unsuccessful and the decision was made to cut the pot line and tow the vessel back into New Quay. Arriving at 14.10 the Lifeboat was left on her inner harbour mooring and recovered back onto the beach at 18.00.

Weather - Wind - WSW 4-5, Sea state - moderate, Visibility - good.

Crew - Dan Potter, Ben Billingham, Paul Brierly, Tomas Davies, Derek Roberts, Sarah Perry, Niki Wickenden.

Tuesday 19th August 2008 - New Quay ALB 'Frank & Lena Clifford of Stourbridge' was launched at 23.27 following a report to Milford Haven Coastguard of red flares being seen off Aberporth. Cardigan's Atlantic lifeboat, 'Tanni Grey' was also launched to carry out search patterns inshore with the ALB searching further out to sea between Aberporth and Llangranog. With nothing being found, both lifeboats were released with the ALB returning to New Quay at 03.05 and left on her outer bay mooring. Recovery back into the boathouse took place later that day at 16.00.

Weather - Wind - SW 4-5, Sea state - slight, Visibility - good in darkness.

Crew - Dan Potter, Ben Billingham, Rees Tom Jones, Simon Williams, Paul Brierly, Kelvin Watters, Tomas Davies, Peter Yates.

Friday 15th August 2008 - New Quay ALB 'Frank & Lena Clifford of Stourbridge' was launched at 18.25 to assist the 26 foot Bermudan Sloop 'Ceridwen' with 2 persons on board. On passage from Ireland to their home port in Aberystwyth, the crew encountered steering problems and informed Milford Haven Coastguard that they were 'making heavy weather' of the last part of the passage at a position approximately 13 nautical miles west of Aberystwyth. The lifeboat actually located the casualty some 18 miles west of Aberystwyth with the rudder shaft snapped in half. Placing crew member Alun Clare on board to assist, the vessel was taken her under tow safely into the harbour returning back to New Quay at 23.35.

Weather - Wind - SW 6-7, Sea state - rough, Visibility - good.

Crew - Dan Potter, Ben Billingham, Simon Williams, Alun Clare, Peter Yates, Ceri Knapgate.


 

Sunday 10th August 2008 - New Quay ALB 'Frank & lena Clifford of Stourbridge' was launched at 10.30 following a Mayday call to Milford Haven Coastguard from the 26 foot yacht 'Cadenza' with 3 persons on board that had lost its main mast. The ship RFA 'Mounts Bay', anchored off New Quay for the Regatta had also heard the Mayday call and launched one of her RIB's but due to the wind and rough sea was unable to assist.

The lifeboat located the casualty in a position 2.5 miles north of New Quay and took her under tow back to New Quay harbour returning to station at 11.30. The pictures show the yacht 'Cadenza' and her crew under tow with her broken mast, sails and rigging lashed to the deck.

Weather - Wind - W 7-8, Sea state - very rough, Visibility - good.

Crew - Dan Potter, Ben Billingham, Steve Hartley, Peter Yates, Neil Hughes and Sarah Perry on her first ALB shout.

 

Monday 5th May 2008 - New Quay ALB 'Frank & Lena Clifford of Stourbridge' was launched at 12.06 to assist the 48 foot dive support vessel 'Wandrin' Star' that was taking on water and sinking. The vessel owned by Celtic Diving in Goodwick and based in Fishguard for the summer, had been supporting the long boats taking part in the 'Celtic Challenge' race that had been abandoned due to adverse weather conditions in the Irish Sea. Cardigan Lifeboat 'Tanni Grey' was in attendance along with the fishing vessel 'Mercurious' that had tried unsuccessfully to utilise its pump. Coming alongside the Wandrin' Star in her position 2 miles south of Cardigan Island, the lifeboat immediately deployed the salvage pump and pumped water out of the vessel for 40 minutes.

Cardigan Lifeboat crew were also assisting and Senior Helmsman Len Walters eventually located the source of the leakage, a pipe that had become detached from the deck wash and he made a successful repair. 'Wanderin' Star' was able to get underway and return safely to Fishguard and the lifeboat returned to New Quay arriving back at 15.15.

Weather - Wind - very light NNW, Sea state - calm, Visibility - poor in fog approx' 1 mile.

Crew - Dan Potter, Ben Billingham, Edward Hides, Hefin Davies, Paul Brierly, Simon Rigby.

Thursday 17th April 2008 - New Quay ALB 'Frank & Lena Cifford of Stourbridge' was launched at 17.35 to assist the 10 metre catamaran 'Ocean Prowler' with one person on board. Having been seen earlier in the day setting off on passage to Aberaeron, the vessel was sighted again from the shore and thought to be encountering some difficulty in the conditions. Trying unsuccessfully to make VHF radio contact with her, Milford Haven Coastguard requested the lifeboat to be launched. Reaching the vessel just off Aberaeron, the ALB escorted her safely into the harbour and returned to New Quay for recovery onto the beach at 18.45. Due to the tidal conditions, recovery into the boathouse was delayed until Friday afternoon.

Weather - Wind - ENE 7, Sea state - moderate, Visibility - good

Crew - Dan Potter, Ben Billingham, Paul Brierly, Kelvin Watters, Simon Rigby, Tim Harrison

Sunday 13th April 2008 - New Quay ALB 'Frank & Lena Clifford of Stourbridge' was launched at 23.30 to assist police and coastguards with the search for two missing persons, an adult male and a 9 year old boy. Along with 'Rescue 122', a Sea King helicopter from RAF Valley, the lifeboat conducted a search of the coastal strip from Birds Rock to Llanina Point using searchlights and white para flares. Nothing was found and the lifeboat returned for recovery onto the beach at 01.27. Due to the high tide, final recovery to the boathouse was delayed until 11.00 on Monday morning. The missing persons were eventually found in New Quay, safe and well, early on Monday.

Weather - Wind NW 3-4, Sea state - slight, Visibility - good.

Crew - Dan Potter, Ben Billingham, Rees Tom Jones, Paul Brierly, Tim Harrison, Hanna Nuuttila.

Saturday 12th April 2008 - New Quay's ALB 'Frank & Lena Clifford of Stourbridge' and the ILB 'Amy Lea', both launched on exercise at 16.10 hours with the purpose of assisting in filming a reconstruction of a rescue carried out by the lifeboats at Llangrannog in August 2007, for the BBC 1 documentary programme, 'Accidental Heroes'. After filming the launch of the lifeboats from the boathouse, they proceeded to Llangrannog reaching the area at 16.50 where the ALB was tasked to recover a stunt woman from a safety boat who had been in the water playing the part of the original casualty. Following an assessment by the crew, an ambulance was requested and the lifeboats returned to New Quay at 18.20 where the casualty was handed over to Paramedics on the main pier. They confirmed that she was suffering from hypothermia, shock and sea sickness requiring onward transfer to hospital. The plans for filming were obviously abandoned, a somewhat ironic end to what was supposed to be a reconstruction of the original rescue in 2007.

Weather - Wind SW 2-3, Sea state - slight, Visibility - good.

ALB Crew - Dan Potter, Ben Billingham, Simon Rigby, Tim Harrison, Paul Brierly, Ceri Knapgate.

ILB Crew - Brett Stones, Kelvin Watters, Peter Yates.

 

Wednesday 2nd April 2008 - New Quay ALB 'Frank & Lena Clifford of Stourbridge' was launched at 09.31 to assist the fishing vessel 'Catherine Arden' with 2 persons on board that had lost all engine power due to a fouled propeller. Having located her north of Ynys Lochtyn, approximately half a mile off Trwyn Crou, a tow was placed on board and the lifeboat returned to New Quay with the vessel at 10.45 where she was secured on her mooring. The picture shows the Catherine Arden's Skipper and crew as the lifeboat arrived on scene.

Weather - Wind SW 3-4, Sea state - calm, Visibility - good.

Crew - Dan Potter, Ben Billingham, Tim Harrison, Paul Brierly, Peter Yates, Neil Hughes.
 

Monday 10th March 2008 - New Quay Coastguard Team were requested to investigate a report from a member of the public given to Milford Haven Coastguard of an object seen in the water off Aberporth Bay. At 09.49, New Quay ALB 'Frank & Lena Clifford of Stourbridge' was put on a 10 minute standby to launch. The 'Launch ALB' page message was sent out at 10.10 and the lifeboat proceeded south to the area to give assistance to the coastguard teams ashore. Shortly after arrival on scene, an unrigged windsurf board was located and recovered onto the lifeboat. From the condition of the board it was assumed that no persons would be in the water however, a short search of the area was still carried out with nothing being found. The lifeboat was tasked by the coastguard for a second time, to retrieve a Kayak seen partially submerged in the same area. Having drawn the conclusion that both pieces of equipment had been carried into the sea on the high winds during the night, the lifeboat returned to New Quay at 12.55.

Weather - Wind on launch SE 3-4 - on return SW 4-5, Sea state - moderate, Visibility - good.

Crew - Dan Potter, Steve Hartley, Ben Billingham, Simon Williams, Bernie Davies, Tim Harrison, Ceri Knapgate.
 

Saturday 2nd February 2008 - New Quay ALB 'Frank & Lena Clifford of Stourbridge' was launched at 00.13 hrs following a report of a red flare being seen of Aberporth. With coastguard teams from New Quay and Gwbert observing from the cliffs, the lifeboat conducted box searches in an area between Ynys-Lochtyn and Aberporth for over 2.5 hours. With nothing being found, the lifeboat returned to station in New Quay at 03.24 to be recovered onto the beach and rehoused at low tide later in the day.

Weather - Wind NW 5, Sea state - moderate, Visibility - good.

Crew - Dan Potter, Rees Tom jones, Ben Billingham, Tim Harrison, Dawn Russell, Paul Brierly, Peter Yates.
 

Monday 28th January 2008 - New Quay ALB 'Frank & Lena Clifford of Stourbridge' was launched at 21.35hrs following a request from Milford Haven Coastguard for assistance to be given to a motor fishing vessel with engine failure in a position approximately 4 miles northwest of Aberporth. The 40 tonne, 11.1 metre MFV 'Flowing Tide ΙΙ' LH 153, pictured on the left, was quickly located by the lifeboat and a tow placed on board. Due to the requirement for the vessel to be taken into Fishguard harbour, Fishguard lifeboat 'Blue Peter VII’ was also launched taking over the tow at a rendezvous point off Camaes Head. New Quay Lifeboat returned to station at 01.05hrs and was recovered onto the beach to be rehoused in the boathouse at low tide on Tuesday evening.

Weather - Wind S 3-4, Sea state - slight to moderate, Visibility moderate in light drizzle.

Crew - Dan Potter, Ben Billingham, Alun Clare, Simon Williams, Tim Harrison, Ceri Knapgate, Paul Brierly, Peter Yates.

Thursday 17th January 2008 - New Quay ALB 'Frank & Lena Clifford of Stourbridge' together with the ILB 'Amy Lea' were launched at 16.12 hours following a report to Milford Haven Coastguard of a person missing at Cymtydu and a car having been found, apparently abandoned. The lifeboats searched an area north and south of Cymtydu assisting coastguard teams who were searching the base of the cliffs. With light conditions deteriorating and nothing found, the search was called off and the lifeboats returned to New Quay arriving back on station at 17.20.

Weather - Wind SW 6, Sea state - moderate to rough, Visibility - moderate to poor in light rain showers.

Crew - Dan Potter, Steve Hartley, Simon Williams, Hefin Davies, Tim Harrison, Simon Rigby, Peter Yates.
 

2008 Lifeboat Services - ILB

Saturday 11th October 2008 - New Quay ILB ‘Amy Lea’ was launched at 13.56 following reports that a person had fallen from the cliffs near the old Coastguard lookout. On arrival at the scene, the body of an adult male was found at the base of the cliffs near Bird’s Rock. The casualty was recovered into the lifeboat and taken to New Quay harbour where police, coastguards and an ambulance were waiting. The ILB returned to station at 15.15.

Weather - Wind SW 2-3, Visibility - moderate in rain drizzle, Sea state - slight.

Crew - Brett Stones, Tomas Davies, Hanna Nuuttila, Peter Yates.
 

Sunday 5th October 2008 - New Quay ILB 'Amy Lea' was launched at 15.10 to assist the fishing vessel 'Blue Pearl' with 3 persons on board that had fouled its propeller on a mooring line in the outer harbour. After several unsuccessful attempts to cut the rope free, the ILB crew could only help the crew of the fishing vessel to secure her for further work to be carried out later. The lifeboat returned to station at 16.00.

Weather - Wind - N4-5, Visibility - good, Sea state - Slight to moderate.

Crew - Bernie Davies, Ceri Knapgate, Tim Harrison.

Wednesday 13th August 2008 - New Quay ILB 'Amy Lea' was launched at 16.53 to assist a windsurfer in difficulties in New Quay Bay. The casualty was brought safely back to the harbour and placed ashore suffering no ill effects from the incident. The lifeboat returned to station at 17.20.

Weather - Wind - SW 5-6, Sea state - moderate, Visibility - moderate in heavy rain showers.

Crew - Ben Billingham, Peter Yates, Niki Wickenden.

Saturday 12th July 2008 - New Quay ILB 'Amy Lea' was launched at 16.52 to assist a 'Shetland' cabin cruiser with 2 persons on board that had lost engine power after fouling rocks and damaging the propeller. On reaching the vessel at a location approximately 500 metres off Black Rock, the ILB took it under tow into New Quay harbour returning to station at 17.20.

Weather - Wind SW3, Sea state - calm, Visibility - good

Crew - Dan Potter, Simon Rigby, Sarah Perry

Friday 4th July 2008 -New Quay ILB 'Amy Lea' was launched at 22.59 to assist the yacht 'Last Laugh 2' with 2 persons on board that was anchored off Traith y Gwyn beach. It was thought that the yacht might be in an unsafe position considering the wind and ebb tide conditions that night. Assisted by the ILB, the Yacht was taken to a safe mooring within New Quay harbour however, during the transit she fouled her rudder on another mooring line requiring it to be freed by the ILB crew. The lifeboat returned to station at 00.05 on Saturday 5th July.

Weather - Wind - SE4, Sea state - slight, Visibility - good in darkness

Crew - Alun Clare, Simon Williams, Peter Yates

 

Sunday 13th April 2008 - New Quay ILB 'Amy Lea' was launched at 23.12 to assist police and coastguards with the search for two missing persons, an adult male and a 9 year old boy. Along with the ALB and 'Rescue 122', a Sea King helicopter from RAF Valley, the lifeboat conducted a shoreline search from Birds Rock to Llanina Point and Cei Bach. Nothing was found and the lifeboat returned for recovery into the boathouse at 01.15. The missing persons were eventually found in New Quay, safe and well, early on Monday.

Weather - Wind NW 3-4, Sea state - slight, Visibility - good.

Crew - Brett Stones, Alun Clare, Kelvin Watters.
 

Friday 19th January 2008 - New Quay ILB 'Amy Lea' was launched at 08.50 to resume the seaward search for a person reported missing at Cymtydu the previous day. Searching the same area as before and extending it further south towards Llangrannog, nothing was found and the ILB returned to New Quay at 11.05.

Weather - Wind - SW 6, Sea state - rough, Visibility moderate to poor in rain showers.

Crew - Simon Williams, Ceri Knapgate, Peter Yates.

 

Thursday 17th January 2008 - New Quay ILB 'Amy Lea' together with the ALB 'Frank & Lena Clifford of Stourbridge' were launched at 16.12 hours following a report to Milford Haven Coastguard of a person missing at Cymtydu and a car having been found, apparently abandoned. The lifeboats searched an area north and south of Cymtydu assisting coastguard teams who were searching the base of the cliffs. With light conditions deteriorating and nothing found, the search was called off and the lifeboats returned to New Quay arriving back on station at 17.20.

Weather - Wind SW 6, Sea state - moderate to rough, Visibility - moderate to poor in light rain showers.

Crew - Bernie Davies, Ceri Knapgate, Len Walters.