Barmouth RNLI launch to yacht in collision with Barmouth bridge.

The volunteers were paged at 7.31 am and the D Class ILB Craig Steadman was launched at 7.37. The all weather lifeboat (ALB) the Moira Barrie was also launched but was recalled as it reached the shoreline after the situation had been assessed by the ILB crew.

On arriving at the scene at 7.40 am the ILB volunteer crew discovered the 20 foot yacht Dinadaw with its mast lodged under Barmouth Bridge. The men had intended going out for a day’s fishing when the engine failed and they were swept into the bridge by the fast incoming tide.

One man had already been taken off the stricken vessel by a local boat owner in his RIB, the remaining three were then taken aboard the ILB and delivered to the care of the local Coastguard on the harbour. The ILB then returned to the bridge and, after careful assessment of the situation, were able to attach a rope and tow the boat through the harbour where it was made safe against the quay wall.

The ILB returned to station and was ready for service again by 8.30 am.

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.

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