Holyhead crew tow yacht to safety
Holyhead RNLI lifeboat was called to assist a vessel in distress this evening (Friday June 9).
The call came from the coastguard at 5.10pm, citing a 13ft yacht with engine failure, one mile from the end of Holyhead Breakwater.
The all-weather lifeboat was launched at 5.20pm, and headed towards the scene. On passing the breakwater, it transpired the stricken boat, with three people on board, was in fact three miles out. The volunteer crew tried unsuccessfully to contact the yacht en route to the location. Another passing vessel had tried unsuccessfully to assist, and itself was now suffering some issues as a result. The volunteer crew managed to establish a tow, and brought the yacht back to Holyhead marina.
The all-weather lifeboat then offered assistance to the second vessel, but was stood down, as its crew were able to return to the shore without help.
The lifeboat was returned to the station at 7.15pm and was prepared for service.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, Carrybridge 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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland