Moelfre RNLI lifeboat volunteers brave the storm and rescue stricken sailors
Moelfre RNLI lifeboat volunteers brave the storm and rescue stricken sailors
Lifeboats News Release
RNLI lifeboats from Moelfre and Conwy were tasked to assist two yachtsmen on passage from the Isle of Man to Conwy, after their yacht suffered machinery failure amidst some of the worse thunderstorms ever witness by the lifeboat crew
The volunteer crew from Moelfre lifeboat station were paged to the incident shortly after 7am on Wednesday morning (20 July), when Holyhead Coastguard had lost all communications with the 32ft vessel after they reported being in difficulties to the north east of Anglesey.
The last communication from the vessel was at 6am when they reported suffering engine failure and were making no head way under sail. Several attempts were made to contact the vessel but to no avail. Concerns were also raised due to the heavy thunderstorms and numerous reported lightning strikes in the area.
Once underway navigators aboard the lifeboat used tidal information and on-board equipment to plot the yacht's estimated position.
Local fishing vessel ‘Cristian Kane’ working in the area spotted a vessel four miles to the northeast of Point Lynas and later confirmed it was the vessel in question. Moelfre RNLI lifeboat volunteers proceeded and quickly confirmed all was well on board. The yachtsmen were exhausted after batting with machinery issues throughout the night and fearful of the overhead storms.
Moelfre RNLI lifeboat quickly established a tow and proceeded towards Conwy. At approximately 9.30am Conwy lifeboat was tasked to tow the vessel to its berth at Conwy quay. Transfer of the tow was made at the entrance to Conwy channel and Conwy RNLI volunteers successfully berthed the vessel at 11.25am.
Dan Guy, RNLI Fleet Staff Coxswain - Moelfre, said: ‘It was one of the worst thunderstorms the crew had ever witnessed and given the tricky conditions the volunteer crews from both here at Moelfre and Conwy did an excellent job.
'Training for every evolution on-board pays off, but you can’t prepare yourself for the challenges mother nature throws at you. Thankfully the two men aboard the vessel were safe and well.’
Notes to editors:
The attached vide should be credited to RNLI/Moelfre
The attached pictures should be credited to RNLI/Conwy
Media contacts:
For more information please telephone Vince Jones - Moelfre RNLI lifeboat mechanic and Lifeboat Press Officer - on 07787528929, or Chris Cousens, RNLI Press Officer, Wales and West, on 07748 265496 or 01745 585162 or by email on [email protected].
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.
