The crew of RNLI Angle's all weather lifeboat were at sea for over 10 hours last week after a yacht ran aground on rocks at South Haven, Skomer Island.

The Tamar class lifeboat Mark Mason was launched at 11.19 pm on Wednesday night (July 10), at the request of Milford Haven Coastguard, and reached the casualty in less than 30 minutes.

The yacht's stern was high and dry on rocks, but her bow was still afloat on the dropping tide. Due to this precarious position, her crew had decided to abandon to another yacht anchored in the same bay.

The lifeboat's Y boat was launched to ease communications between the vessels, and to make an initial assessment of any damage to the yacht as requested by the Coastguard.

Meanwhile, the owner and crew of the casualty were taken back to Dale by one of the yachts anchored in the bay.

Because the tide still had three hours to ebb, it was decided that the lifeboat would remain on scene to assist the vessel should it refloat, or mitigate damage to the vessel/environment if she didn't.

At low water the vessel was about 25 degrees down at the bow, and listing 35 degrees to port. Fortunately, she started to refloat on the incoming tide.

Once the tide had risen and the yacht was close to refloating, the Y boat was re-deployed to assess the condition of the yacht. It was found that she was still watertight and the only apparent damage was to the rudder that was snapped in half. Once afloat the yacht's steering was checked and was functioning correctly.

The lifeboat connected a tow and the yacht was taken to Milford Haven with the Y boat in tow behind it. Once opposite Milford Docks, the casualty was taken into an alongside tow to the Mackerel Stage, where she was safely secured alongside the pontoon.

The lifeboat was released to return to her station to be rehoused at 9.30 am.

On Saturday (July 13) she launched at 8.52 am to a report of a 9.5m catamaran yacht becalmed, and with not enough fuel, 13.5 miles south of St. Anne's Head.

Once on scene, a lifeboat crew member was transferred to the casualty to assist the single-handed sailor. A tow was connected and the lifeboat proceeded to Dale, where the tow was disconnected and the yacht made her own way alongside the pontoon.

The lifeboat retrieved her crewman and returned to her Angle station to be rehoused at 12.20 pm.