Tenby Lifeboats RNLI

31/05/2026

The all-weather lifeboat was launched at around 2.20pm on Saturday 30th May, after the coastguard received a pan pan call from a yacht with one person on board, reporting engine failure in the vicinity of the East Helwick buoy, 15 miles south-east of Tenby.

Due to the danger of the yacht drifting towards rocks and with their station being closer, the smaller inshore lifeboat from Horton and Port Eynon was also tasked.

Both lifeboats arrived within a minute of each other and after a thorough assessment, it was decided that Horton lifeboat would transfer a crew member from Tenby onto the casualty vessel and then transfer the skipper, who was exhausted, onto Tenby’s lifeboat.

With total engine failure and practically no wind, sailing the yacht was out of the question and with anchoring the yacht in place meaning it would cause a navigational hazard, it was decided to tow the yacht back to Tenby harbour, where the skipper could effect repairs.

On arrival at Tenby, the yacht was taken into Tenby harbour and moored against the wall.

The lifeboat then returned to station, arriving just after 6pm.

The video of the launch was sent to us courtesy of Mackerel Fishing Tenby - thanks guys :)

30/05/2026

With several crew changes over the last 12 months, including the appointment of a new Coxswain, we thought it was about time we had an up-to-date crew picture. Once again, RNLI Machinery Surveyor and keen photographer James Williams of Coastal Captures offered to take the picture and we couldn’t be happier with the result. As well as a whole crew pic, James also took one of the boat officers. Amazing shots as usual, thanks Coastal Captures

28/05/2026

𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢-𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐞 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠

Both boats were launched shortly before 4pm on Thursday 28th May after the Coastguard received a 999 call stating that a child had fallen four metres onto rocks while taking part in an organised coasteering session at Church Doors, near Lydstep.

The volunteer crews made best speed to the area, some 3.8 miles west of Tenby and once on scene, the inshore lifeboat immediately went into the rocks to assess the situation, whilst the all-weather lifeboat stood off.

The crew found the child lying on rocks with his parents, who also been taking part, with him. He was conscious, but complaining of back pain. A helicopter was immediately requested, but with the tide coming in rapidly and the flight time from Newquay in Cornwall meaning the casualty would likely be submerged before it arrived, the crew needed to get the casualty off the rocks quickly.

A stretcher and several more crew members were brought across from the all-weather lifeboat to the rocks, where they were soon joined by members of Tenby Coastguard Rescue Team.

The child was then immobilised and placed in the stretcher before being taken, along with his parents, off the rocks and to the safety of the larger lifeboat to await the arrival of the helicopter.

The helicopter was overhead a short while later and the Paramedic was lowered to the deck to assess the casualty.

It was decided that it would be more comfortable for the child to stay aboard the lifeboat and for the paramedic to accompany him back to Tenby, where a Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust ambulance had been requested to attend.

With the Ambulance now on scene and the child handed over for his trip to hospital, the coastguard paramedic was taken up to Greenhill School, where the helicopter was waiting to fly back to Newquay.

A spokesman for Tenby RNLI said, “The child was taking part in a well organised coasteering session and was wearing a wetsuit, buoyancy aid and crucially, a helmet, which likely saved him from more serious injuries. The RNLI recommends that when going coasteering, you always try to use a recognised National Coasteering Charter (NCC) provider, as these provide all the necessary safety gear and guidance.”

27/05/2026

The all-weather lifeboat was launched at 6.20pm on Wednesday 27th May, after the Coastguard took a 999 call from two men on an inflatable dinghy, reporting that they were being blown offshore from Pendine and that their dinghy was deflating.

On scene just 12 minutes later, the volunteer crew spotted the dinghy after a brief search and went alongside.

The relieved occupants, along with their deflating dinghy, were taken aboard, where they were checked over and apart from being a little cold, were none the worse for their ordeal.

As the lifeboat was preparing to take the casualties and their vessel back to Pendine, the crew spotted a kayaker waving a paddle at them a short distance away and whilst approaching the paddleboarder, they noticed that there was also someone in the water hanging onto the board.

The two people were taken aboard, along with the paddleboard, where they told the crew that they had been in difficulty for some time.

With all casualties now safe and well aboard the lifeboat and nobody else in difficulty, they were taken back to Pendine, where the Y-boat was used to take them ashore.

The lifeboat was then stood down to return to station.

Rescues like these highlight the need to always be prepared when going out on the sea. The weather can change quickly and following a few simple safety tips will help to make sure you are prepared.

Advice for Staying Safe
• Life jackets or buoyancy aids should be worn by everyone when boating, paddleboarding, or using personal watercraft.
• Means of Communication: Always carry a waterproof means of calling for help, such as a VHF radio or a mobile phone in a dry pouch.
• Float to Live: If you unexpectedly fall into the water and are struggling, float to live. Tilt your head back, move your hands and legs and relax to control your breathing

25/05/2026

𝐒𝐢𝐱 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐲 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐛𝐲’𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐭𝐬

Following the morning shout on Sunday 24th May, both boats were again requested to launch, this time at 9.40pm, after several people were reported to possibly need assistance on the rocks at Manorbier.

The boats were quickly on the water and as they were making way, a report came through from Police and Coastguards on scene that the people were safe and well and there was no assistance required, so the lifeboats were stood down to return to station.

As the inshore lifeboat was passing Lydstep, they were tasked to investigate lights on the cliffs in Lydstep bay.

The crew quickly spotted the reported lights, but it was apparent that it was a climber that had just made it to the top of the cliff and was in no danger, so the boat carried on back to station.

The final shout of the day came for the inshore lifeboat shortly before 11pm, after a 7.1 metre rib reported engine failure off Old Castle Head, near Manorbier.

The volunteer crew were on scene a short while later and with the casualty vessel having no propulsion and in danger of drifting toward the rocks, the occupants of the vessel requested a tow back to Freshwater East.

With the rib now safely at Freshwater East, the lifeboat was stood down and returned to station for the final time that night, arriving just after midnight.

24/05/2026

Both boats assist in large search for overdue kayaker

Both boats were launched at around 09:15 on Sunday 24th May, after a report that a kayaker hadn’t returned to the Llansteffan area after launching the evening before.

The volunteer crews were initially tasked to search between Monkstone Point and Ginst Point, with both Burry Port lifeboats, Ferryside inshore rescue boat, a Coastguard rescue helicopter and Burry Port and Llansteffan Coastguard rescue teams searching other areas.

It was soon reported that the kayaker had been located safe and well in the Burry Port area, having camped there overnight.

With no more assistance required, the lifeboats were stood down to return to station, arriving back at Tenby at 09:50am.

The fourth pic shows the size of the search area that the all-weather lifeboat would have begun, had the kayaker not been found safe and well ashore.

19/05/2026

𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻

Today sees the launch of this years’ Float to Live campaign which has helped save the lives of more than 50 people in all sorts of situations. From children in rip currents to runners falling into canals, from people swept out by waves, to fisherman falling overboard.

Float to Live could save your life.

Remember:
- Tilt your head back with ears submerged
- Relax and try to control your breathing
- Use your hands to help you stay afloat
- It's okay if your legs sink, we all float differently

Practice these steps at a supervised location, like a swimming pool or lifeguarded beach so you know what to do in an emergency.

Learn more here:

As the school holidays approach, the RNLI is urging people to remember the lifesaving technique if they get into trouble in the water. It is estimated that 48.97M people will be heading to the coast or open water at least once over the summer.

19/05/2026

The inshore lifeboat was launched just before 10.30am on Tuesday 19th May, after a report that a dinghy and a paddleboard with two persons on each, appeared to be in difficulty between the pier and the old lifeboat station.

The volunteer crew were quickly on scene and found the casualties slowly making their way back towards the harbour in a moderate offshore breeze.

After making sure they were all well, they were escorted back into the harbour and given safety advice, before the lifeboat returned to station.

04/05/2026

𝗣𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗧𝗲𝗻𝗯𝘆'𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵

The pagers went off just before 6pm on Monday 4th May, whilst the crew were preparing for their regular Monday exercise. They were requested to check out two paddleboarders who were possibly in difficulty around half a mile of Tenby’s South beach.

Quickly on the water, the volunteer crew were soon alongside the paddleboarders, who confirmed they were in no difficulty and were planning to head back to shore.

Having noticed the paddleboarders were not wearing lifejackets, they were given suitable safety advice, before the lifeboat was stood down to begin their exercise.

Some way into their training, the crew noticed the paddleboarders seemed to be making very little headway against the tide and offshore breeze, so headed back over to them to offer assistance. This was accepted and they were dropped ashore on South beach, along with their boards.

Incidents like this one reinforce the need to be prepared when going paddleboarding. Check the weather forecast before you go and if the wind is likely to be offshore, think about changing the area you go out in to an area where the wind blows you back towards the shore. Always wear a buoyancy aid and bring a mobile phone (in a waterproof pouch) with you so that you can call 999 and speak to the Coastguard if you get into difficulty.

Get more safety tips here:

Find out how to get the most out of stand-up paddleboarding, also known as SUP. Get advice on types of paddleboard, lifejackets, best conditions and more.

03/05/2026

𝐋𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐛𝐲'𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐭𝐬

The inshore lifeboat was launched on what was the station’s fifth shout of the week just before 5.30pm on Sunday 3rd May, following a report of people possibly cut off by the tide at Monkstone Point.

As the volunteer crew were arriving on scene, it was confirmed that the people were actually fishing and in no need of assistance.

The boat was stood down to return to station.