A climber who fell at Minchin Hole Cave, near Swansea last weekend was dramatically rescued by the Coastguard helicopter after the winchman was flown through a narrow cliff crevice to reach the stricken casualty - all captured on the helicopter's winch cam.
On Saturday 15 April, a group of climbers had been climbing at Minchin Hole, near the Gower, Swansea, when a male climber was injured after falling 5 metres onto rocks. At around 3.40pm another member of the climbing group called 999 and asked for the Coastguard to help.
Mumbles and Rhossili Coastguard Rescue Teams were immediately sent to the location, but due to its inaccessible location were unable reach the casualty using their specialist rope rescue equipment. The Mumbles Lifeboat RNLI crews were able to reach the casualty and move him to a wider break in the hole so that the UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at St Athan could winch the casualty safely and transfer him to Swansea Morriston Hospital.
Jonathan Mustard, Aeronautical Operations Controller for the UK Coastguard said: ‘This is an amazing example of the teamwork required at an inaccessible location when time is of the essence. This teamwork comes from the dedicated training exercises our helicopter crews, Coastguard Rescue Teams and the RNLI crews undertake all year round.
‘The climbing group did exactly the right thing to call the UK Coastguard and their quick action resulted in the fast arrival of our teams at the location. We send our best wishes to the casualty and hope he makes a swift recovery.’
MCA helicopter rescue of fallen climber at Minchin Hole, Gower
Fishing Trip to Ireland - Kilmore Quay - September 2016 - Video 1
Fishing Trip to Ireland - Kilmore Quay - September 2016 - Video 2
Fishing Trip to Ireland - Kilmore Quay - September 2016 - Video 3
Big fish - Autumn Dream - Skipper Eamonn
Swansea Air Show 3 July 2016 - Red Arrows Display
Swansea Air Show 3 July 2016 - Red Arrows Display
Oystercat playful dolphins on way to Lundy 4 June 2016
Filleting a Triggerfish
Easy filleting
Recording of the good old days - social BBQ on Oxwich beach back in 1989, filmed by Peter Williams
Mumbles RNLI new lifeboat and boathouse
A visit to the new Mumbles lifeboat station and the new Mumbles Lifeboat.
A small group of committee members were privileged to accept an
invitation to visit the new Mumbles lifeboat station and the new Mumbles
Lifeboat. The latter, a £2.7m Tamar class boat, replaces the smaller
slower Tyne class boat. The new lifeboat is named after the late
Frederick Roy Barker, who left £6.5m to fund lifeboats. The members
were able to go on board to view the impressive range of computer
technology and instrumentation that makes the lifeboat one of the most
modern rescue boats afloat. The members also toured the impressive
new lifeboat station, a facility that will be open for public viewing as
soon as pier owners allow. The visit ended with
a spectacular launch of the lifeboat.
During the visit the members were told that the new lifeboat had
not yet been called out ‘in anger’ from Mumbles. It didn’t take long
however. Just a little later, on the day of the visit, Mumbles Lifeboat
received a call to aid a windsurfer who was being carried out to sea by
wind and tide. The windsurfer and his equipment were recovered using the
inshore dinghy which is located in the back of the new all weather
lifeboat.
Illustrates the use of the small rib carried on the lifeboat for rescue close to shore on rocks etc.
Stormy Weather
Oystercat weathered stormy seas when returning to Swansea Marina.
Proof that the Oystercat is the best boat for riding the worst of the weather in the Bristol Channel. Skipper Richie Pearce said the weather and sea was "horendous" but Oystercat withstood all that was thrown at her and return all anglers safely to the marina. Home but badly shaken by the unexpected experience.