TWO fishermen’s lives were saved in a dramatic nighttime rescue, when their boat began to sink off the coast of Penarth.

A coastguard helicopter and three lifeboats were called to Lavernock Point, in the Vale shortly after 1.10am on Tuesday, June 12.

A Penarth Lifeboat Station spokesman said: “Our Atlantic lifeboat was first on scene, and initial attempts were made to steady the stricken boat which was in challenging tidal conditions.

“Unfortunately the vessel had taken on too much water, and quickly sank, with the two people on the vessel entering the water.

“Our new smaller lifeboat, the D class ‘Spirit of Penarth II’ arrived at the scene and provided immediate assistance, with RNLI lifeboat crew members having no option but to enter the water in order to save the lives of the two casualties.”

One of the fishermen saved from the sinking boat returned to the station on Wednesday to thank the crew for saving the lives of him and his friend.

Andrew Lewis said the pair were heading home after being out on his boat for an evening’s fishing, when the boat started taking on water.

Mr Lewis said: “We were heading around Sully Island when the sea started to get a bit choppy, so we eased back on the speed.

“After a few minutes my friend said he heard a crack, I didn’t hear anything, but the next minute there was water coming in the cabin and the engine started struggling.”

Andrew called UK Coastguard at Milford Haven to raise a distress call.

Milford Haven Coastguard then paged Penarth and Barry Dock RNLI lifeboats.

“We were bailing the water out of the boat to try and keep the boat afloat until the lifeboat turned up,” Mr Lewis continued. “I think if we hadn’t been bailing the boat out we would have lost the boat before the lifeboat arrived.

“I’m really grateful to all the volunteers who came out to us – they really are the best..

“To see the lifeboat coming over the horizon was fantastic. The RNLI do a fantastic job.”

Jason Dunlop, lifeboat operations manager for Penarth RNLI station said: “This was an extremely challenging rescue carried out in difficult seas and in pitch darkness.

“Our crews train for this type of incident, and have access to the very best RNLI equipment, but this shout was one which will stay with me.

“Two lives were saved as a result of the bravery and selfless actions of our volunteer crew members.

“There is no doubt that the professionalism and swift actions of the crews saved the lives of the two casualties.

“Andrew and his friend were very lucky that we could get to them as quickly as we did, together with the additional resources that attended the incident.

“They also had several means of communication with them, together with lifejackets and flares, and they knew the local hazards and who to call for help.”

A station spokesman thanked the rescue helicopter 187 crew who watched over them as the rescue developed, remaining ready to deploy its winchman if required.