VOLUNTEER lifeboat crew members of the RNLI Barry Dock worked alongside other crews in an effort to rescue a sinking landing craft on Saturday, April 15.

The Barry-based crew joined lifeboats from Minehead and Burnham on Sea around 6.46pm.

The Trent class lifeboat Inner wheel II arrived at 7.30pm and joined Minehead lifeboat and coastguard helicopter Rescue 187 who were on scene with salvage pumps.

Two crew members and a salvage pump were transferred from the Minehead lifeboat to help bail the landing craft, which was letting in water after its front ramp failed.

Both lifeboats escorted the vessel towards the nearest safe haven of Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset.

One of the boat’s crew members was transferred to the Minehead lifeboat and then winched by Rescue 187 to be treated for hypothermia.

A lifeboat crew from Burnham-on-Sea was launched to help guide Barry Dock lifeboat through the difficult approach towards the town, while the Minehead boat stood down.

Barry Dock lifeboat arrived at Burnham-on-Sea at 9.45pm, where the vessel was safely beached at the Yacht Club to allow repairs to be made the next day.

Coxswain David "Digger" Brooks said: “It was a difficult shout in some challenging conditions, but with some great teamwork from our RNLI and coastguard colleagues, we were able to save the vessel and its crew from sinking, so the final outcome was a success.”

For more information on RNLI Barry Dock visit rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/barry-dock-lifeboat-station.