Milford Haven coastguard have been praised for their coordination of a marine search following an alert from a local tug.

Angle Lifeboat was requested to launch on April 3. At 5.14pm, the coastguard paged the crew after a local tug had reported sighting a potential person in the water, approximately two miles south west of St Anne’s head. 

The tug was at that time escorting a ship in to the port of Milford Haven.

Whilst preparing to launch, the coastguard issued a Mayday relay broadcast for any vessel in the vicinity to offer assistance, however there were no vessels close by. 

The lifeboat launched and made best speed to the reported position, arriving close behind the first of two Dyfed Powys Police marine unit boats that were also tasked to the incident. The crew were immediately passed search instructions and commenced an expanding square search. 

Shortly after the search began, Little Haven lifeboat, who themselves had just launched on exercise, were diverted to assist. Coastguard Rescue helicopter R187 from St Athan had also been tasked.

On completion of the initial search, the crew were passed a further two search patterns and spent the next near three hours completing a thorough search of the area, heading north with the tide to eventually encompass the islands of Skokholm and Skomer. 

As darkness fell, and with nothing found, all assets were stood down to return to their stations. The crew made the steady journey back to station and the lifeboat was refuelled and ready for service once again shortly after 9.30pm.

The crew are full of praise for Milford Haven Coastguard for their excellent coordination of multiple assets, and their hard work in formulating and passing several sets of search instructions.