A busy weekend for the RNLI volunteer crew of the Moelfre lifeboat

Saturday 14th July at 2:12 pm Holyhead Coastguard requested the launch of both Moelfre Lifeboats to assist with three Jet Skis that had collided at Penrhyn Point, with one male person in the water with suspected severe back injury. The Inshore Lifeboat was underway in just under four minutes, as the ILB was making its way towards the incident, new information was radioed to the crew that the injured male had been taken ashore at Traeth Bychan. In the meantime, the All-weather Lifeboat ‘Kiwi’ was stood down prior to launching. The ILB crew with the help of Moelfre Coastguard Rescue Team made a full medical assessment and then passed the casualty over to the North Wales Ambulance paramedics who gave him further medical assistance.

Later in the afternoon the pagers once again alerted the volunteer crew that their service was again required. It was reported to the Coastguard and also observed from the RNLI Moelfre boathouse that two kayaks were struggling to make headway into a strong offshore wind. The Inshore Lifeboat ‘Enfys’ launched at 4:20 pm and was quickly on the scene. The male and female kayakers were offered assistance, and this was gladly accepted. Both kayaks and their owners were taken aboard the ILB and transported to Traeth Bychan to be met by the Moelfre Coastguard Rescue Team.

The volunteer crew not only dealt with the shouts, they also launched the ALB at 09:30 am for a routine training exercise, returning to the boathouse at 11:30 am and made their way home an hour or so later after making sure that ‘Kiwi’ was well prepared for her next launch.

Sunday 15^th July.

At 2:07 pm Holyhead Coastguard requested that the Inshore and All-weather Lifeboats needed to be launched after reports that an adult and two children were in the water after their kayaks upturned. Seconds before the pin was pulled that would send ‘Kiwi’ the All-weather Lifeboat down the slipway, further information was received that the kayakers had managed to make their own way onto the beach at Llanddona.

Again, on Sunday, the pagers went off after members of the public had alerted Holyhead Coastguard that a speedboat with four people on board were trying to attract the attention of passing boats and walkers on the coastal path. The location was near the Royal Charter monument. At 3:25 pm the All-weather lifeboat was launched quickly followed by the Inshore Lifeboat ‘Enfys’, both boats were quickly on the scene to find that the 17-foot speedboat had collided with rocks known as ‘Trwyn Cribin’.

The speedboat had suffered damage to her gearing, so it was decided by the Lifeboat crew and boat owner that the most sensible thing to do was to tow the casualty vessel to a safe mooring at Traeth Bychan. A tow was prepared and quickly established by the ALB who then towed the casualty vessel as near as it was safe to do so to the shallower waters of Traeth Bychan. Thereafter, the Inshore Lifeboat took over the tow.

In the meantime, the ILB were tasked over the radio to go and assist a kayaker in difficulties near Traeth yr Ora, the kayaker was given assistance in getting back to Traeth Lligwy, and soon after that the ILB was underway to the waiting All-weather Lifeboat. The tow of the speedboat was then taken over by the ILB who then towed the damaged speedboat to Traeth Bychan.

Two of the passenger on the casualty vessel has suffered slight injuries in the collision that didn’t require immediate medical assistance, but they were advised to seek medical care when ashore

All in all, a very busy weekend for the RNLI volunteer crew but not once did any crew member complain that their weekend plans had been ruined.

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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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.