Trearddur Bay RNLI lifeboat launched into testing conditions

A launch request was sent by the UK Coastguard at Holyhead, however the station's Atlantic 85 class lifeboat was held onshore for five minutes prior to launch

The weather conditions were deteriorating with a strong wind so the coastguard requested that the lifeboat delay launching whilst they tried to establish that the casualty was safe. After a few minutes though, the Coastguard Rescue Team on scene reported that there may be another casualty missing.

The Coastguard gave the station the choice to launch and after a quick discussion with the Helm, Leigh McCann, and one of Trearddur Bay RNLI's volunteer Deputy Launch Authority the decision to launch was taken.

After nearly 20 minutes of battling very large waves the Coastguard informed the volunteer crew that all persons had been accounted for, at which point the boat returned to station, arriving back around 1pm.

Trearddur Bay RNLI Helm Leigh McCann said: 'The conditions were close to the operating limits of our lifeboat and as always our first thought was ensuring the safety of our volunteer crew. When we heard there may be another person in the water we took the decision to launch as they could have been in extreme danger given the conditions and the temperatures of the water at this time of year. Thankfully everyone was accounted for safe and well on this occasion.'

Notes to editors:

The attached picture shows Trearddur Bay RNLI's Atlantic 85 class lifeboat Hereford Endeavour. Credit RNLI/Andy Hodgson

Media contacts:

For more information please contact Andy Hodgson, Trearddur Bay RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07545 588093 or Chris Cousens, RNLI Press Officer, Wales and West, on 01745 585162 or 07748 265496 or by email on [email protected]

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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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