The vessel had lost power and was dragging its anchor towards shallow water.
A crew member was put aboard the barge, and a nearby commercial vessel offered to tow it to Cardiff, with the lifeboat escorting both vessels.
On approaching the barrage, the lifeboat helped to manoeuvre the big and heavy barge through the locks by acting as a drogue, reducing its speed and adjusting its course from the stern.
A spokesperson for Penarth RNLI said: “Our crew were paged at 5.40pm this evening (26 April) in response to a PAN-PAN transmission from a 65ft Dutch barge near Lavernock Point.
“The casualty was secured to a berth in Cardiff Bay and our lifeboat returned to station at 20.30.
“A good outcome, thanks to the team from De Romein Nearshore for their vessel’s assistance.”
“Congratulations to our trainee crewmember Rich Rayner on his first shout!”
Penarth RNLI also shouted out crewmember Rich Rayner as it was his first call out.
