Search for boat aground in fog
Coastguards and lifeboat crew have been searching for a 16-foot open boat that went aground yesterday afternoon. The two crew onboard Cross Winds were sent assistance due to the poor visibility and cold weather.
The crew of the vessel called the Swansea Coastguard at just before 4.00 pm yesterday to report that they had gone aground in the Bristol Channel, near Lydney Power Station. The two men reported that they were safe and well and were happy to wait until high tide so that they could float the vessel off. Swansea Coastguard maintained contact with them throughout this time. Later on in the night, visibility started to deteriorate and by 2.20 am, the Coastguard made the decision to send out the Chepstow and Sharpness Coastguard Rescue Teams to ensure the safety of the crew. The coastguards on scene maintained communications with the boat via vhf radio, but were unable to see them due to the poor visibility. A short time later the Severn Area Rescue Association lifeboats were requested to launch.
Steve Jones, Swansea Coastguard Watch Manager says:
The coastguards and lifeboats have been searching for the men and throughout the period of high tide. Unfortunately, tidal conditions mean that the inshore lifeboats cannot continue their search. We are still in contact with the two men, who are now very tired, having been awake in freezing fog throughout the night. They are confident that they are in a relatively safe position on a sandbank. Therefore we have decided to leave them to sleep for a short while, so that we can reassess the situation when dawn breaks.
Source: Swansea Coastguard
