Three RNLI lifeboats involved in mayday call from a sailing vessel

Volunteer lifeboat crews from Moelfre, Holyhead and Beaumaris RNLI were paged on Saturday 5 September and tasked to launch to reports of a 32m wooden sailing vessel taking on water approximately 15 nautical miles north of Point Lynas.

The all-weather lifeboat (ALB) Edward and Barbara Prigmore with her crew of seven launched in challenging conditions and were underway within 18 minutes of the call. As the ALB approached the scene it was clear the vessel was in danger of sinking as conditions onboard worsened.

Two HM Coastguard helicopters were on scene lowering a pump and crew member onto the vessel. Two commercial vessels also answered the mayday call and were on scene. The ALB crew quickly assessed the situation and implemented a plan to try and save the vessel.

Two RNLI crew members and a salvage pump were transferred to the vessel, in a challenging two metre swell, to assess conditions aboard and set up the salvage pump. With the vessel having lost electrical and navigation aids, Moelfre’s ALB was crucial in co-ordination between all the assets involved and managing the on-scene efforts to save the vessel.

Once aboard the vessel the two RNLI volunteer crew, working in difficult conditions, were able to commence effective pumping operations. Whilst there was a considerable amount of water onboard the vessel, the pumps ensured that the engine was able to keep running and the vessel was able to make way.

Holyhead RNLI’s ALB Ger Tigchelaar arrived on scene at around midday, with an additional salvage pump onboard should it have been needed. As resources on the sailing vessel were managing to keep the vessel moving towards a safe location, the additional pump was not required and Holyhead’s lifeboat was able to return to its station.

Moelfre’s lifeboat was able to closely monitor conditions and guide the vessel into the Menai Strait where it they were met by the volunteer crew onboard Beaumaris RNLI’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat Annette Mary Liddington. Both lifeboats remained with the vessel until it came alongside the pontoon at Beaumaris where North Wales Fire and Rescue Service together with the Bangor Mobile Coastguard Rescue Team, where in attendance to help with more equipment to prevent the vessel sinking.

The lifeboats were then stood down by the Coastguard. This was a long shout, with Moelfre’s ALB returning to station and made available some nine hours after the initial call.

Moelfre RNLI Coxswain, Mike Hughes–Roberts, said:

‘Although preparations had been made for the boat to be ready to make the passage to Scotland, you never know what Mother Nature will throw at you.

‘Having the correct emergency equipment on board is essential and ensuring you ask for help before it is too late. By sending a distress alert (DSC) and mayday, help was able to arrive quickly and, in this case, two ships, two helicopters and multiple lifeboats were soon on hand to help.

‘Please always do the relevant safety checks and prepare when you go to sea and know your emergency procedures.’

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Ian Marlow, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Wales & West, [email protected]

Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Wales, West of England and Isle of Man, 07977 728 315, [email protected]

Danielle Rush, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Wales, West of England and Isle of Man, 07786 668829, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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