THE RNLI Barry Dock Trent All-Weather lifeboat “Inner Wheel II” has been launched in response to a request from HM Coastguard to a motorboat in distress off Nash Point.

The motorboat, Ma Chipe, was en-route from Milford Haven to Cardiff but developed problems with its fuel lines which caused its engine to stall before 11.30am on Wednesday, February 27. The crew put down the anchor to prevent to boat drifting and summoned assistance via the coastguard.

Porthcawl’ RNLI volunteer crew were first on scene in their fast RIB Atlantic 85 lifeboat and provided support to the Ma Chipe’ crew until the much larger Barry Dock Trent lifeboat arrived a short time later.

Barry Dock lifeboat crew set up a tow of the stricken motor boat and she was escorted back to Barry Dock where the motorboat crew were able to undertake repairs enabling her to safely continue her voyage to Cardiff.

Barry Dock lifeboat coxswain Martin Bowmer praised the actions of the Ma Chipe.

He said: “They were well prepared and acted promptly and correctly when they got into difficulty.

"By dropping their anchor they held their position and prevented the boat drifting on the ebb tide toward nearby Nash Sands making it much easier for both Porthcawl and Barry Dock lifeboat crews to render assistance.”

Sea and weather conditions were very favourable during the unseasonably warm February weather which helped both volunteer crews establish a safe tow.