The Mumbles Lifeboat RNLI

02/09/2026

📟 Shout 77 - 01/09/26 - ALB Launch
📟 Shout 78 - 01/09/26 - ILB Launch

What first sounded like a worrying call, thankfully had a reassuring outcome, after both Mumbles lifeboats were diverted from exercise to reports of a dinghy sinking off Horton.

Both lifeboats made their way to the area, where crews soon found two kayakers fishing. Thankfully, both were safe and well, and no assistance was needed.

Steve Ace, Volunteer Crew at The Mumbles Lifeboat said:

"We are always happy to go and investigate concerns. If you think see someone in difficulty at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard".

31/08/2026

📟 Shout 75 - 28/08/26 - ALB Launch
📟 Shout 76 - 28/08/26 - ILB Launch

The Mumbles RNLI all-weather lifeboat was tasked on Friday afternoon to assist Porthcawl RNLI with a lone sailor in difficulty near Scarweather Sands.

After Porthcawl’s volunteer crew evacuated the sailor shortly before the yacht sank, the casualty was transferred to the warmth of The Mumbles all-weather lifeboat due to the challenging conditions.

The crew took the casualty to Swansea Marina, carrying out a full casualty care assessment and monitoring them throughout the passage.

Our crews often work closely with our neighbouring lifeboat stations, supporting each other when needed to help bring casualties safely back.

Later that day, The Mumbles RNLI inshore lifeboat was tasked to assist police following reports of a person potentially in difficulty near Mumbles Pier.

Fortunately, the person made their own way back to the mainland and was confirmed safe and well.

Deputy Coxswain Dai Thomas said:

“It was good to work alongside Porthcawl’s crew and see the sailor safely ashore.

If you are heading out on the water, make sure you have the right personal flotation device, a way of calling for help and that you are prepared to navigate safely in the conditions.”

Porthcawl RNLI’s volunteer crew were paged by HM Coastguard at 3.02pm yesterday (Friday 28 August) following a 999 call from a lone sailor on a yacht in difficulty. The yacht had run aground on a sand bank and swamped its engine. The Mumbles Lifeboat RNLI all-weather lifeboat was also requested.

The lifeboat passaged out in fairly challenging conditions and as they got closer to Scarweather sand bank, the volunteer crew were unable to immediately spot the casualty and due to the conditions were struggling to locate them using radar. With the casualty unable to use their VHF radio at the time, the sailor was requested to fire a red flare, after which the lifeboat crew spotted the vessel.

On scene, the crew assessed the situation and observed that the yacht had taken on a significant amount of water. A decision was made that the safest course of action was to put a crew member onboard the yacht to further assess the situation. It was immediately apparent that the crew needed to get the sailor off as quickly as possible as it would be impossible to stem the flow of water.

The casualty was safely transferred on to the lifeboat before the vessel sank. Due to the challenging sea conditions at the time, the casualty was then transferred to The Mumbles all-weather lifeboat and taken safely ashore at Swansea.

Speaking following the call out, Andrew Walmsley, Porthcawl RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘The crew did a great job in difficult conditions. Time was of the essence and to locate the sailor quickly with fairly limited information and evacuate them from the sinking yacht resulted in a life saved and we want to wish the casualty well.

'The Bristol Channel has the second largest tidal range in the world and can present people with challenging conditions where it can be easy to get caught out. We would like to commend the casualty for being prepared and having a means to call for help. Should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.’

To help power Porthcawl RNLI volunteers to our next rescue: https://fundraise.rnli.org/fundraisers/Porthcawl

Full news release with downloadable image: https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2026/august/29/porthcawl-and-the-mumbles-rnli-rescue-lone-sailor-from-sinking-yacht

28/08/2026

📟 Shout 73 - 27/08/26 - ILB Launch
📟 Shout 74 - 27/08/26 - ALB Launch

Both lifeboats at The Mumbles RNLI launched at 10.50pm last night to assist with a search in the Langland area.

The volunteer crews made best speed to the area and began searching, using thermal imaging equipment to help cover the coastline and surrounding waters.

Both lifeboats continued the search until midnight, when they were stood down by HM Coastguard allowing our volunteer crew to return to their beds.

24/08/2026

📟 Shout 69 - 22/08/26 - ILB Launch
📟 Shout 70 - 22/08/26 - ILB Launch
📟 Shout 71 - 23/08/26 - ILB Launch

Volunteers at The Mumbles RNLI responded to three very different calls over the weekend, from providing casualty care to a fisherman suffering chest pains, to a late night search, to helping a vessel in difficulty at sea.

The first call came on Saturday afternoon when four of the station's crew rushed to help a fisherman who had developed chest pains.

The four crew were able to put their casualty care skills into practice, having recently completed a two-week refresher course.

They assessed the fisherman and provided casualty care, staying with him until the fishing vessel berthed at Swansea Marina, where he was transferred into the care of the Welsh Ambulance Service.

Just a few hours later, at around 11pm, the pagers sounded again. This time the inshore lifeboat launched to assist police with a search.

By Sunday lunchtime, the volunteers were needed again when the inshore lifeboat launched to reports of a 17ft boat suffering engine failure several miles south of Mumbles Head.

Once alongside, the volunteer crew assessed the situation. With the vessel drifting, posing a hazard to other vessels and concerns for the welfare of the crew, a tow was established.

The vessel and its crew were brought safely into Swansea Marina, where the lifeboat was released to return to station.

Wilf Box, Volunteer Crew at Mumbles RNLI, said:

"Three very different calls in less than 24 hours show the variety of situations our volunteers can face.

"From putting casualty care training into practice, to a late night search and helping a crew in difficulty at sea, our volunteers were there when they were needed.

"If you see someone in difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard."

17/08/2026

📟 Shout 65 - 14/08/26 - ILB Launch
📟 Shout 66 - 15/08/26 - ILB Launch
📟 Shout 67/68 - 16/08/26 - Both Boats Launch

It was a busy weekend for the volunteers of The Mumbles RNLI, with three shouts over three nights.

The first came on Friday night, when the Inshore Lifeboat (ILB)launched after reports of a deflating dinghy drifting out to sea from West Cross, with people believed to be on board.

The crew found the dinghy empty, raising concern that people could be in the water. A search of the area was carried out before the crew were stood down and returned to station.

By Saturday night, the pagers were sounding again.

The inshore lifeboat launched after a person on a rubber ring was blown out to sea in Swansea Bay. The casualty had stayed with the inflatable, and was quickly found waving for help. The crew recovered them from the water and returned them safely to their friends on shore.

On Sunday night came the third shout of the weekend, with both lifeboats launching after reports of a person in distress near Mumbles Lighthouse.

The person was quickly located safe on Middle Island and both lifeboats were stood down.

Kieran Dunston, inshore lifeboat helm at The Mumbles RNLI, said:

“Inflatables can quickly be blown out to sea in offshore winds. Please check the conditions before heading into the water.”

14/08/2026

Shout 63- 13/08/26 - ALB Launch 📟
Shout 64 - 13/08/26 - ILB Launch 📟

As our volunteers were cutting up shoeboxes and digging out the colander ready for the Eclipse, a call for help came.

A 35-foot yacht which had suffered engine failure in Swansea Bay,

After a thorough assessment, with the yacht at risk of obstructing the Tawe Fairway and posing a risk to other vessels, the safest option was to take her under tow.

The All-weather Lifeboat established the tow before handing the yacht over to the inshore lifeboat (ILB) . The volunteer crew then carefully manoeuvred her through the locks and to safety.

Tony Bowen of The Mumbles RNLI said: ‘Mechanical problems can happen to anyone. Always carry a means of calling for help and, if you get into difficulty, contact the Coastguard.’

You can find out more about staying safe while sailing and motorboating here:

https://rnli.org/water-safety/choose-your-activity/yacht-sailing-and-motorboating

14/08/2026

A big thank you to Village Voices for hitting all the right notes in their fundraising. Check out their profile for future performances!

07/08/2026

Come see us this Saturday at Swansea Yacht & Sub Aqua Club from 1pm.

Have you heard? Members of the local RNLI team based at Mumbles will be joining us at this year’s Swansea Sea Festival! Displaying lifesaving equipment and bringing playing fun games, make sure to visit them in Museum Park! Find out more about the festival at www.visitswanseabay.com/swanseaseafestival/

Brought to you by Swansea Council and the Amgueddfa Genedlaethol y Glannau - National Waterfront Museum.

07/08/2026

Shout 61- 05/08/26 - ALB Launch 📟
Shout 62 - 06/08/26 - ILB Launch 📟

The Mumbles RNLI launched their ILB to a vessel on fire drifting between Mumbles Lighthouse and middle Island with two people on board.

The ILB chased the drifting vessel between the islands, where the crew had already extinguished the engine fire using a dry powder extinguisher.

Although the fire was out, the vessel was left immobile as the swell continued to push it towards the rocks.

The crew began assessing whether the vessel could be towed. During this, a wave lifted the vessel, leaving it at risk of capsizing.

The crew prioritised the safety of the casualties over the vessel. Following a towing assessment, the decision was made not to tow. The ILB crew picked up the two casualties, brought them aboard the ILB and took them safely ashore.

Abandoning the vessel proved to be the right decision. As the swell continued to build, the vessel was washed onto the rocks off Mumbles Lighthouse.

When it was safe to do so, the ILB returned to the vessel to make it environmentally safe. Portable fuel cans were removed as a precaution and, fortunately, there were no signs of fuel or oil pollution.

As the tide fell, the vessel was left stranded on the rocks awaiting potential recovery.

Paul Williams, Launch Authority at The Mumbles RNLI, said:

"The crew assessed the situation on arrival and determined that the safest way to preserve life was to evacuate the two people on board. Once they were safe, the vessel could be dealt with at a later stage."

Jack Cawsey Williams, Helm at The Mumbles RNLI, said:

"A fire at sea can escalate in seconds. Keep your vessel well maintained, carry a suitable fire extinguisher, make sure it's in date and call 999 and ask for the Coastguard as soon as you need help."

This was the second call in two days for The Mumbles RNLI. The day before, the all-weather lifeboat launched to two paddleboarders reported to be in difficulty off Oxwich. Fortunately, they made it safely ashore, allowing the volunteer crew to return to station.

On Thursday 6th August, at 2.24pm, The Mumbles RNLI launched its inshore lifeboat (ILB) to a vessel on fire drifting between Mumbles Lighthouse and the Middle Island with two people on board.