Abersoch RNLI lifeboat recovers a familiar vessel!

Abersoch RNLI volunteers were paged at 1.20pm on Wednesday (30 august) and were on scene at 1.35pm.

The motor cruiser which had located the vessel and alerted the UK Coastguard was still on scene, they explained that they had seen no one on board or within the vicinity. Abersoch RNLI lifeboat's Helm promptly placed a crew member on board to investigate the condition of the inflatable rib.

It was established that the vessel's anchor was deployed and the engine was cold and in the elevated position. This information was relayed to the Coastguard and they immediately requested a search pattern emanating from the stricken vessel.

Whilst Abersoch lifeboat was conducting the search pattern, Abersoch RNLI shore crew and management undertook a shore based investigation into the owner of the vessel. It was soon established the owner was safe and well and that the vessel had indeed slipped it’s anchor sometime in the night and drifted out to sea.

This information was then relayed to the Coastguard who then contacted Abersoch lifeboat to cancel the search as the owner had been located. As the vessel was in good working order and had enough fuel it was decided to drive the vessel back to Abersoch. It was a calm day and this was deemed the best option.

In fact the vessel was an old RNLI D class lifeboat, now retired, so the volunteer crew were familiar with its operation and happy to return it to shore. The vessel and crew member were shadowed by Abersoch lifeboat until it reached the shore.

Media contacts:

For more information please contact Lee Oliver, Abersoch RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07919 071577 or Chris Cousens, RNLI Press Officer, Wales and West, on 07748 265496 or 01745 585162 or by email on chris_cousens@rnil.org.uk.

Key facts about the RNLI

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.

The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.

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