Holyhead Lifeboat On First Launch After Marina Devastation
Less than a week after the devastation at Holyhead Marina during Storm Emma, the town’s RNLI lifeboat launched for the first time from her new berth in the inner harbour late yesterday afternoon (Wednesday March 7).
A call came from the UK Coastguard at 4.30pm to a 16 metre 25 tonne ex-fishing vessel with three people on board. The craft had suffered engine failure on her voyage from Penzance to Liverpool.
The Holyhead all weather lifeboat Christopher Pearce was launched within 15 minutes of the original call. The lifeboat is currently berthed at a temporary location within the inner harbour area after Holyhead Marina was wrecked by last week’s storms.
The stricken boat was four miles off the Holyhead coast, and southerly winds and tides meant she was drifting toward the main shipping lane, which would have caused issues for larger vessels later in the evening.
Coxswain Tony Price said the boat was in no immediate danger, and the crew had done the right thing in contacting the coastguard. The vessel was in good condition, and her crew were all correctly equipped for their voyage.
He also added a note of thanks to the port authorities for their support for the lifeboat.
The stricken craft was towed safely to Holyhead’s south quay area, and the lifeboat returned to her temporary berth at 6.30pm ready for service.
For more information please contact Vicki Owens, Holyhead RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07531 681409.
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.