THE importance of the Penarth Times-backed RNLI appeal for a new lifeboat was highlighted last weekend, when the crew rescued two people from the water near Sully Island.

The station received a call-out early on Saturday (September 10), following a mayday message reporting that a 15 foot fishing boat had capsized.

Once recovered, those involved were brought back to Penarth RNLI station to be checked over by a waiting ambulance crew, before being declared safe and well.

The Atlantic B-class lifeboat was relaunched to assist the D class lifeboat with the recovery of the capsized boat.

It was towed back to Penarth slipway and made safe by the fire service.

Jason Dunlop, Penarth's lifeboat operations manager said: "This incident required a high speed and efficient response from the RNLI and other agencies.

|"Our D class lifeboat was able to stabilise the capsized vessel, and ensure it did not pose a threat to other vessels in the area.

"Once again we see how valuable an asset the D class is in this kind of situation - a high speed boat but also a highly effective work horse.

"It is because of that role that the D class lifeboats are routinely replaced after 10 years - they do of course get a battering as a result of the work they do, and that is why our appeal is so important to the work that we do."

The appeal is aiming to raise £52,000, with £15,000 raised in the eight weeks since it was launched.

One member of the Penarth crew was recently involved with another call out which also had a happy ending - although on a more personal level.

Huw Pickford, who works at Penarth Yacht Club, was called away from duty to attend the sudden birth of his son.

The tractor driver for the crew, who has been part of the team since February 2015, received a call whilst he was carrying out his duties that his wife had gone into labour.

He said: "It was 6.30am on a wet Monday when my pager went off.

"Mt wife, Jeanne, said she thought she was having contractions.

"I thought the process was only just starting and Ie needed to launch the lifeboat so I carried on.

"But then the call came through that Jeanne was indeed in labour. Luckily the lifeboat was out and operational by then.

"I was then able to get her to the hospital and young Oscar was born.

"At just 17 hours old, Oscar was introduced to the tractor where he will undoubtedly follow me in years to come."

Speaking about how he joined the crew, the 37-year-old, said: "I work and live next door so I felt I could help out by being able to open up the station and getting things ready for a quick launch when the pagers go off."

Please help us raise the money by getting involved.

No matter how big or small your fundraising event or idea, let us know and we will help publicise it.

We will also try to cover as many events as possible.

Anyone who helps raise money will get special recognition with a Penarth Times certificate and be mentioned in a roll call which will be published regularly.

Send any fundraising ideas to reporter Anthony Lewis at penarthtimes@penarthtimes.co.uk or contact the appeal team at penarth@rnli.org.uk.

To donate directly send a cheque made payable to Penarth Lifeboat Appeal to Penarth Lifeboat Station, The Esplanade, Penarth, CF64 3AU.

You can also donate online by visiting www.justgiving.com/fundraising/penarthlifeboatappeal1