LIFEBOAT crews from Barry Dock and Penarth were called into action last week as they fought to rescue four boats in distress.

RNLI volunteers from both Barry Dock and Penarth were called to rescue a 30-foot yacht on Thursday, July 13, at 6.45pm after it ran aground on an outgoing tide at Weston-super-Mare.

Despite their best efforts to save the boat, crews decided the safest option was to leave the vessel on the beach until the next tide.

Volunteers from Barry and Penarth were called to three other rescues on the same day, to help a second boat in difficulty which was towed to the safety of Cardiff Bay barrage.

Crews from the RNLI at Barry Dock also sent out its lifeboat to help a 32-foot yacht west of Nash Point after the skipper was overcome with exhaustion.

Penarth Times: Route of the Rescue on Thursday evening Route of the Rescue on Thursday evening (Image: Barry Docks RNLI)

Route of the Rescue on Thursday evening. Picture: Barry Docks RNLI

A spokesperson for Barry Docks said: “On arrival on the scene, the nearest safe haven was Swansea Marina as Porthcawl Marina was closed, and an alternative of a long five-hour tow back to Barry through choppy seas through Nash was discounted.

“A tow was established with the yacht and made its way towards Swansea with the aid of the outgoing tide from the Bristol Channel."

The boat was towed by volunteers from Barry Dock, alongside colleagues from The Mumbles Lifeboat RNLI who took over the rescue at Port Talbot Bay and continued to Swansea with the aid of the outgoing tide from the Bristol Channel.

The lone sailor and his yacht despite suffering from exhaustion were safe and well once tied up to the holding buoy in Swansea.