Father and son rescued by Rhyl RNLI volunteer crew in busy shipping lane
The pair had started out from Prestatyn to row out to the windfarms, but were reported struggling against the wind and tide by concerned members of the public ashore, who dialled 999 and asked for the coastguard.
Luckily, a member of the public spotted the boat again, and the local volunteer coastguard team were able to direct the lifeboat crews to the boat.
The man and his young son were in the middle of the busy shipping lane to the port of Mostyn, which is used by numerous windfarm transfer boats and the Airbus wing ferry, trying to row ashore but not making any headway. The pair were taken on board the lifeboat, as was their dinghy. Neither were really equipped for a 4-mile journey to the windfarm, not having lifejackets, flares, or a means of calling for help.
The lifeboat crew then took the casualties back to the Prestatyn shore, where they were then ferried to the beach on the inshore lifeboat, to be met by the coastguards.
Martin Jones, Coxswain of Rhyl lifeboat station, said ' The two were very lucky to have been spotted from the shore by the public, struggling to make any progress. We thank these onlookers who correctly alerted the emergency services by dialling 999 and asking for the coastguard'
He added ' Where the casualties were located, was in the middle of the approach channel to Mostyn Docks. We are just so glad we were able to rescue and see them safely ashore' .
The casualties were given safety advice by the coastguards on their return to shore.
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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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