The coastguard has called five people "lucky" after they, together with a large dog, had a narrow escape after their boat crashed into rocks in the Mumbles area of Swansea. They were spotted in difficulty by an off-duty lifeboat crew member who happened to be sitting on the beach with her family. The dramatic incident took place at the base of a cliff, and the vessel sank "within seconds" of hitting the rocks.
The engine of the boat fell off and was unresponsive. Those aboard has no safety equipment or any means by which to raise the alarm and call for help. Non-swimmers who were on board the boat were left "badly shaken" by the incident. Get Swansea stories straight to your inbox with our newsletter.
The incident took place on Friday, June 17 at around 6.45pm and saw Mumbles Coastguard at the scene within minutes of receiving the information from their off-duty colleague.
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A statement from Mumbles Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team read: "Tasked to a vessel sinking with five persons on board and a large dog. Engine was unresponsive at best and practically zero safety equipment and totally overloaded. So lucky this happened at the base of a cliff to allow a short time in the water and a scramble to safety. The vessel sank within seconds of hitting the rocks. Some non swimmers on board clearly badly shaken by the ordeal.
"They had no means of raising the alarm, lifeboat crew member called it in whilst sitting on the beach with her family. We were on scene in minutes with the lifeboat. The engine fell off, and the boat broke in two. Lucky, lucky people."
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