Two sailors rescued by Porthdinllaen RNLI lifeboat
Porthdinllaen RNLI lifeboat was launched at the request of the UK Coastguard to attend an incident off Wern Beach at Nefyn on Tuesday afternoon (29 August).
Two sailors on board a 16ft 'Hobie Cat' type sailing catamaran had requested assistance at 12.20pm after the mast on their craft had snapped in two. With no means of propulsion to get ashore, the RNLI all-weather lifeboat was launched to rescue the two and tow their craft ashore.
With only a light wind and calm seas the two sailors were in no immediate danger, but were quickly located by the lifeboat's volunteer crew, a tow line was passed over from the lifeboat to the craft and secured for the short two-mile tow back to Porthdinllaen Harbour.
At 1.05pm the sailing craft and two occupants were safely ashore at Porthdinllaen with the lifeboat returning to her station and ready for service by 1.10pm.
Kenneth Fitzpatrick, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Porthdinllaen RNLI, said: 'It was unfortunate that the mast broke on the craft, but the two occupants remained calm throughout and summoned help immediately. What started as a leisurely sail for them ended in quite an eventful day.'
Media contacts:
For more information please contact Dylan Parry Thomas, Porthdinllaen Lifeboat Press Officer on 07747 600019. Alternatively contact Eleri Roberts, RNLI Public Relations Manager on 01745 585162 / 07771 941390.
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.