A woman was airlifted by helicopter after falling overboard from a yacht 8.5 nautical miles south of Barry Dock.

The
skipper of the 35ft yacht used a Digital Selective Calling (DSC) radio to
alert Swansea Coastguard, following a voice MAYDAY message
just after 7am on Saturday morning reporting that the other member of his crew
had fallen overboard.

The woman was struggling to get back on board, but
she was wearing a lifejacket and was attached to the boat.

The RNLI Barry Dock all-weather lifeboat and the RAF search and
rescue helicopter from Chivenor were sent to the scene.

The woman was
pulled out of the water by the helicopter and flown to the
University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, where the Penarth Coastguard
Rescue Team had attended the helicopter landing site to assist.

The Barry Island Coastguard Rescue Team was sent to the harbour to
assist in the berthing of the yacht and help recover equipment.

David Jones, duty watch manager for Swansea Coastguard said: ‘We cannot stress enough how important it is for people to be well prepared when they head out to sea.

‘These crew members were well equipped. I believe the correct use of DSC
radio no doubt assisted in the swift recovery of this casualty, who was
also wearing a lifejacket and was attached to the yacht.

‘We always advise people if they are going afloat for pleasure, working
around water or fishing, they should wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid.

‘It’s useless unless worn.’

(Pictures: The RNLI’s All Weather Lifeboat and a stock image of a lifejacket being used in a Man Over Board demonstration)