Porthcawl RNLI Lifeboat

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Porthcawl RNLI Lifeboat

One of the busiest RNLI stations in Wales, operating an Atlantic 85 and D Class lifeboat.
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Celebrating 60 years of inshore lifeboats based at Porthcawl and the re-establishment of an RNLI lifeboat station.
1965 - 2025 Porthcawl RNLI is one of the busiest lifeboat stations in Wales operating two of the charity's inshore lifeboats; Atlantic 85 Rose of the Shires and D Class Hugo Missen. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), a charity registered in England and Wales (209603), Sco

tland (SC037736), the Republic of Ireland (20003326), the Bailiwick of Jersey (14), the Isle of Man, the Bailiwick of Guernsey and Alderney

29/08/2026

Porthcawl RNLI’s volunteer crew were paged by HM Coastguard at 3.02pm yesterday (Friday 28 August) following a 999 call from a lone sailor on a yacht in difficulty. The yacht had run aground on a sand bank and swamped its engine. The Mumbles Lifeboat RNLI all-weather lifeboat was also requested.

The lifeboat passaged out in fairly challenging conditions and as they got closer to Scarweather sand bank, the volunteer crew were unable to immediately spot the casualty and due to the conditions were struggling to locate them using radar. With the casualty unable to use their VHF radio at the time, the sailor was requested to fire a red flare, after which the lifeboat crew spotted the vessel.

On scene, the crew assessed the situation and observed that the yacht had taken on a significant amount of water. A decision was made that the safest course of action was to put a crew member onboard the yacht to further assess the situation. It was immediately apparent that the crew needed to get the sailor off as quickly as possible as it would be impossible to stem the flow of water.

The casualty was safely transferred on to the lifeboat before the vessel sank. Due to the challenging sea conditions at the time, the casualty was then transferred to The Mumbles all-weather lifeboat and taken safely ashore at Swansea.

Speaking following the call out, Andrew Walmsley, Porthcawl RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘The crew did a great job in difficult conditions. Time was of the essence and to locate the sailor quickly with fairly limited information and evacuate them from the sinking yacht resulted in a life saved and we want to wish the casualty well.

'The Bristol Channel has the second largest tidal range in the world and can present people with challenging conditions where it can be easy to get caught out. We would like to commend the casualty for being prepared and having a means to call for help. Should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.’

To help power Porthcawl RNLI volunteers to our next rescue: https://fundraise.rnli.org/fundraisers/Porthcawl

Full news release with downloadable image: https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2026/august/29/porthcawl-and-the-mumbles-rnli-rescue-lone-sailor-from-sinking-yacht

24/08/2026

Our volunteer crew were paged by HM Coastguard at 7.23pm yesterday evening (Sunday 23 August) following a 999 call reporting a casualty with a suspected broken pelvis following a fall onto rocks in a remote part of the Vale of Glamorgan coastline near Monknash.

Both the charity's inshore lifeboats, Atlantic 85 'Rose of the Shires' and D Class 'Hugo Missen' were launched on service and made best speed to the location. Our colleagues from Llantwit Major Coastguard and Barry Coastguard were also tasked to the incident.

When our volunteer crew arrived on scene they assessed the casualty and provided casualty care along with Coastguard colleagues. The casualty was stabilised and carried out by stretcher to the Atlantic 85 lifeboat and then medevaced back to Porthcawl. Once back at Porthcawl lifeboat station the casualty was transferred to hospital for further assessment and treatment. We wish the casualty a speedy and full recovery.

To help power Porthcawl RNLI volunteers to our next rescue: https://fundraise.rnli.org/fundraisers/Porthcawl

In a coastal emergency dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

20/08/2026

Throw back footage from Saving Lives At Sea when our volunteer crew launched to a kayaker in difficulty.

19/08/2026

If you missed the first episode of series 11 of Saving Lives At Sea you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer. Our volunteer crew were featured as the first rescue story of the brand new series.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0030gk1/saving-lives-at-sea-series-11-1-man-overboard

18/08/2026

Tonight 8pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer

Don't miss Porthcawl RNLI's volunteer crew featured in the brand new series of Saving Lives At Sea

Image: Porthcawl RNLI (Helmet Cam Still)

16/08/2026

🍿📺 Saving Lives At Sea is back for a brand new series and our volunteer crew will feature in the first episode!

Tune in this Tuesday (18th August) at 8pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer

Image: Olly Rose/Blast Films

13/08/2026

Our volunteer crew were tasked by HM Coastguard to multiple incidents on Wednesday (12 August).

The crew were first paged at 2.03pm following a report that swimmers were in difficulty at Hutchwns Point (near Rest Bay). The Atlantic 85 'Rose of the Shires' made best speed and was swiftly on scene locating the casualty between Hutchwns Point and Irongate Point having been swept along the coast by the strong tidal current. Fortunately for the casualty one of our volunteer crew, Joe Missen had seen the incident unfolding whilst on the beach and after making sure the Coastguard had been called on 999 he went to assist the person in difficulty using his own body board to support them until the lifeboat arrived.

Whilst our advice is not to enter the water and call 999, Joe was confident in his ability knowing the lifeboat was on its way and in doing so ensured it was a positive outcome for the person in difficulty. All other swimmers who were initially in difficulty made it safely back to the beach unaided.

Once the casualty who was rescued was safely back on the beach with our RNLI lifeguard colleagues at Rest Bay the lifeboat was tasked to assist RNLI lifeguard colleagues at Ogmore. Two people on a paddleboard were struggling in the tidal current. Both were picked up by the lifeboat crew and dropped ashore at the beach.

Later whilst on training during the solar eclipse both lifeboats were tasked to assist people cut off by the tide and had a further tasking to investigate a paddleboarder who may be in difficulty. The final call being a false alarm with good intent.

In a coastal emergency dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

To help power Porthcawl RNLI volunteers to our next rescue: https://fundraise.rnli.org/fundraisers/Porthcawl

12/08/2026

Our volunteer crew enjoying the eclipse this evening whilst out training onboard our Atlantic 85 ‘Rose of the Shires’

11/08/2026

Who remembers this incredible story from Saving Lives At Sea?

The new series starts on BBC Two next week on Tuesday 18th August, with more amazing rescues captured by volunteer RNLI crews.

Address

Porthcawl Lifeboat Station, The Esplanade
Porthcawl
CF36 3YR

Website

http://www.porthcawl-lifeboat.co.uk/

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