Abersoch RNLI lifeboat tows two broken down boats to safety
Abersoch RNLI lifeboat volunteers were called out twice in three days to two broken down boats.
The latest shout saw Abersoch RNLI’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat The Peter and Ann Setten was launched at 6.40pm on Saturday (April 2) to the aid of a broken down motorboat with three men on board. Initial reports about its position, in the vicinity of Aberdaron, were unclear.
Holyhead Coastguard were able to confirm, however, that it was the same vessel that the Abersoch RNLI volunteers had escorted to safety from the Aberdaron area nine days before. According to local knowledge this vessel had restarted its passage to Liverpool some time after 2.30pm that afternoon.
The swelling sea in Porth Neigwl and the gradually diminishing light made searching a difficult task but the crew persevered and eventually spotted the casualty. The powerful Atlantic 85 lifeboat made good progress in the conditions, bringing the volunteers alongside the vessel at 7.30pm.
It had made an unsuccessful attempt to anchor, drifting about 200 yards off the rocks at Trwyn Talfarach at the western end of Porth Neigwl. An RNLI crew member boarded the 33 foot wooden craft, a line was attached and a tow was initiated.
It was then decided that the casualty be taken to Pwllheli Marina and Holyhead Coastguard tasked Pwllheli RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat to assist.
After approximately an hour and at a point two miles south-east of Abersoch near Porth Ceiriad, Abersoch's Peter and Ann Setten lifeboat met the Pwllheli all-weather lifeboat Lilly & Vincent Anthony, which was under the command of Second Coxswain Bryn Ellis for the first time since he passed out as a fully qualified Coxswain.
AbersochAbersoch RNLI volunteer crew returned to station at 8.46pm while Pwllheli RNLI lifeboat towed the casualty into the marina, where is was berthed by 9.45pm.
Pwllheli's lifeboat was back on station and ready to relaunch by 10pm.
Three days earlier Abersoch RNLI’s new Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat was called for its second service of 2016 on Thursday 31 March.
The Peter and Ann Setten was launched at 11.22am after receiving reports of a broken down powerboat five miles directly east of Abersoch. There were five pepole on board, three men and two boys.
In a calm sea, the Abersoch volunteer crew members were on scene in 14 minutes and found the casualty at anchor. One of the RNLI crewmen boarded the 26 foot vessel and a line was attached. It was then carefully towed to the Warren Beach.
After checking that all was well, the crew returned to station at 12.52pm.
Notes to editors:
The attached pictures show
- Abersoch RNLI's new Atlantic 85 lifeboat being launched. Pic credit: Turtle Photography
- Pwllheli RNLI's all-weather lifeboat. Pic credit: RNLI/Andy Green
For further information, please contact Twrog Jones, Lifeboat Press Officer at Abersoch RNLI, on 07747 319139 or Chris Cousens, RNLI Press Officer, Wales and West, on 07748 265496 or 01745 585162 or by email on [email protected].
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The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.
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