Two Easter Sunday Calls For Holyhead Lifeboat
Holyhead’s RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew were called out twice on Easter Sunday (April 21).
The first call at just after 4.20pm cited a vessel in trouble. Initial reports suggested it was a larger vessel situated out near The Skerries. The all-weather lifeboat
Christopher Pearce was launched shortly afterwards.
It was then clarified that the stricken craft was in fact a 20ft yacht, with three people on board, suffering mechanical difficulties approximately 2 miles out, near the Bolivar buoy.
On arrival at the scene, another vessel, a Blyth tall ship, William II, that had been in the Holyhead area earlier that day, was standing by the stricken yacht, to ensure she and her crew remained safe, pending the arrival of the lifeboat. A tow was quickly established, and the craft and her occupants were returned safely back to a mooring within Holyhead harbour. The lifeboat and her crew were back and ready for service again shortly after 6pm.
A second alert was sent out by the UK Coastguard just after 8pm, reporting personal watercraft vessels experiencing mechanical issues approximately 30 miles out to sea between Anglesey and the Isle of Man.
The volunteer crew again assembled and set off to help the stricken casualties. En route to the destination, approaching Cemlyn Head, our flanking station Moelfre, whose boat had been out on exercise, became available, and it was decided they would continue the operation, while the Holyhead lifeboat crew could return to shore, in order to be on standby for any further calls.
Holyhead coxswain Tony Price said:
‘It’s very important that even on a calm day at sea, people using our waters are well equipped and take means of calling for help, and navigation equipment, with them on their journeys.’
He also praised the volunteers for their efforts in turning out for both calls:
‘They are so dedicated, and a great credit to our town; their long line of predecessors would be so proud of them all.’
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.