Busy Sunday for Conwy RNLI lifeboat

The relief lifeboat D-656 William Robert Sanderson was launched on exercise with her volunteer crew shortly after 11a and proceeded up river, prior to being diverted to two separate incidents.

 

The first diversion came after Beaumaris RNLI lifeboat crew first received a request from HM Coastguard to launch at 11.16am to a fishing vessel with two crew aboard which was reported to be taking on water near Puffin Island.

 

Just prior to launching the coastguard asked for the lifeboat to be kept at readiness as they now believed the bilge pumps were coping with the water ingress and that she was capable of proceeding under her own power to her home port of Conwy.

 

At 11.35am Conwy RNLI were requested to divert from its training exercise and rendezvous with the casualty vessel in the navigational channel to assist her on approach to Conwy Marina.  

 

The coastguard requested that the Beaumaris lifeboat remain at immediate readiness until they were stood down and recovered and made ready for service at 11.47am.

 

At 11:45 Conwy RNLI lifeboat was alongside the casualty vessel and transferred a crew member aboard to assist as required. Upon safely entering Conwy Marina the owner, with assistance, was able to rectify the problem and the lifeboat proceeded back on exercise.   

 

The shortly after making way into Conwy Bay, the lifeboat and her volunteers were flagged down by the skipper of a 39ft sailing vessel who was drifting in the navigational channel with her main sail fouled. The lifeboat was brought alongside and two crew members transferred to assist the skipper in freeing the sail. This was safely achieved and the sailing vessel made her way back into Conwy.

The lifeboat continued her exercise for a short while longer then returned to station where she was recovered, refuelled and made ready for service at 12.30pm.       

Notes to editors:

• Conwy RNLI lifeboat station has been operating since 1966 and will be celebrating 50 years of operation this June.
• To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.rnli.org.uk/conwy 

RNLI media contacts:

For more information please contact Danny-Lee Davies, Conwy RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07999 321639; Alan Flood, Conwy RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07871 505513; Danielle Rush, RNLI Divisional Media Relations Manager (Wales and West) on 07786 668829 or 01745 585162; or alternatively contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789.