Holyhead RNLI Rescue Irish Fishing Vessel

Pagers sounded just after 8am, after a call to the UK coastguard citing a 10-metre Irish potting vessel with two people on board suffering mechanical failure, and drifting in the Irish Sea.

Holyhead’s volunteer crew launched the all-weather lifeboat Christopher Pearce from her current berth within the inner harbour, and headed to the scene.

On reaching the stricken boat, crews set about performing a tow, and headed back towards Holyhead.

After five hours at sea, the lifeboat returned with the craft and her crew, and after ensuring all were well, the fishermen set off to return to Ireland on the next ferry, leaving their vessel to be repaired locally.

Holyhead coxswain Tony Price said:

‘The casualty craft and her crew were well-equipped. It’s always a shame for any craft or persons in difficulty, but it’s particularly sad when a vessel is earning her living from the sea, and we wish our Irish fishermen friends a speedy return to normality after their misfortune.’

He added,

‘I’d also like to send thanks to the local coastguard teams for helping with mooring the craft safely back in Holyhead.’

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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