Holyhead Lifeboat Called To Sinking Paddle Steamer
Holyhead RNLI volunteers were called to a towed vessel in difficulty in the Irish Sea yesterday afternoon (Friday 25 May).
Holyhead's Severn class all-weather lifeboat Christopher Pearce launched immediately and headed to the scene, arriving there within 40 minutes.
On arriving at the scene, it was evident the 36 metre vessel was in trouble and beginning to sink from the bow. She was being towed by tug towards Ireland after a period in the south of England.
The Holyhead lifeboat crew quickly ascertained that the paddle steamer did not have anyone on board, and did not contain any fuel. A very quick decision was made by the coxswain that the situation was too dangerous to try and put any crew on board the stricken vessel.
Within half an hour, the vessel had sunk further into the sea, and at 4.20pm she sank completely into the 50 metre deep waters.
Holyhead coxswain Tony Price said:
‘It was very sad to see such a lovely vessel sink like that, but fortunately no one was endangered and the lack of fuel on board meant there were no environmental issues.’
The lifeboat left the scene 20 minutes later, and arrived back in Holyhead at 5.20pm, where she was berthed and prepared for service.
Notes to Editors:
Holyhead has two operational lifeboats; The Severn class all-weather lifeboat Christopher Pearce, and the D-class Archie and Mary Hooper.
Holyhead Lifeboat Station has a Facebook page - Holyhead Lifeboat Station - RNLI; a Twitter account - @HHeadLifeboat, and an Instagram 'Holyhead_Lifeboat'
For more information, please contact Vicki Owens, Lifeboat Press Officer, Holyhead Lifeboat Station on 075310681409 or email: [email protected]
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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