Hovercraft and crew rescued by Holyhead RNLI lifeboat

On arrival, the inshore volunteer lifeboat crew found a 10 foot hovercraft with an adult and eight-year-old child aboard in the Cemlyn Bay area. 

The lifeboat crew observed that both people were wearing life jackets on board the stricken vessel. The hovercraft had suffered engine failure and was sinking.

The casualties were transferred onto the inshore lifeboat and then transferred to the all-weather Severn class lifeboat for their safety.

Ray Steadman, Holyhead Lifeboat Press Officer said:

'The hovercraft is not one of the easiest vessels to tow but the inshore lifeboat volunteer crew were able to return the craft to the shore and then transferred the casualties from the all-weather lifeboat to the shore.

'Thankfully a dog walker on the shore alerted emergency services to the incident. Lifeboats returned back to station and were refuelled and ready for service again 11.30pm.'

Media contacts

For further information, please contact Ray Steadman, Lifeboat Press Officer at Holyhead on 07867 506939.

Key facts about the RNLI

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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