Rescuing stranded sailors
Fri 13th Jan 2012
Coastguards have praised two men working at Castlemartin for helping to rescue sailors in a stricken yacht and bring the incident to a successful conclusion.
Carl Bryant and Chris Fowler used their experience and radar facilities at the range to help the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre locate the vessel after it drifted some five miles from where its crew of two made their distress call.
Without steering, the yacht was in danger of being swept on to the rocks of Skokholm Island when it was located, thanks to the help of the two range staff.
Range Safety Officer, Warrant Officer Sean Meaker, said:
“This episode illustrates the varied situations that can be encountered by Range staff in the course of a ‘normal’ days work. Mr Bryant, in particular, showed confidence and professionalism in his dealings with the emergency services, and both men should be congratulated for their diligent work in the best traditions of lending assistance to those in peril at sea.”
The two men, were working in the Range control tower on the night that a recent mayday distress call was made. Communications with the yacht established that the skipper was unsure of his position. A lifeboat was requested to launch just after 7pm, but nothing was located. At this time Carl, a Duty Range Control Watch-Keeper, and Chris, a Radar Operator, who had been monitoring the call, carried out a thorough examination of their tracked targets and history using their radar system.
Using his experience and a logical process of elimination, Carl established a firm contact that convinced him it was the vessel in difficulties. He then liaised directly with Milford Haven Coastguard, passing on all relevant information to the Lifeboat.
Working directly on the maritime radio to both the Coastguard and the Lifeboat, Carl was able to pass information to the Lifeboat enabling them to identify the yacht on their radar. Carl said:
“The team at Range Control are glad we can assist the Coastguard and Angle Lifeboat, ensuring the safety of vessels in and around Milford Haven waterway. Angle Lifeboat with a volunteer crew, along with Milford Haven Coastguard do such an outstanding job monitoring the local maritime area.”
The Coastguard later rang the Range control tower to thank Castlemartin Range for its assistance with the incident.