A cargo ship's unlucky crew led to Tenby lifeboatmen launching on mercy missions to the vessel twice within nine hours yesterday (Thursday).

The Hendrik S was on passage from Dublin to Amsterdam, and was in heavy seas south of St Govans, when her chief engineer broke several fingers when they got trapped in a hatch.

Tenby's relief RNLI all-weather lifeboat launched shortly before 2.30pm and headed towards the sheltered bay of Barafundle, where the Hendrik S had been requested to head to aid the transfer of the injured crewman.

With the lifeboat positioned alongside the 3,200 tonne cargo ship, the injured chief engineer, accompanied by the first mate, boarded the lifeboat for the 11-mile trip back to Tenby, from where he made his way to hospital.

But in the intervening hours, the Hendrik S's skipper was overcome by extreme fatigue because of the absence of two key crew members.

With the vessel still sheltering off Barafundle, he feared for the safety of the ship and his crew because of his tiredness.

Said Tenby RNLI press officer, Ben James: "The owners of the ship had failed to get transport for the first mate to return to the ship and, due to the possible danger posed to the vessel by an extremely tired captain, it was decided to launch the lifeboat to avert a possible grounding of the 3,200 tonne cargo ship."

The lifeboat launched at 11.30opm, with both the cargo ship's first mate and chief engineer aboard, and made its way to the Hendrik S.

Once alongside, the lifeboat transferred both men back to their vessel, before heading back to Tenby.

The lifeboat finally rehoused at 12.30am this (Friday) morning.