Four rescued on broken-down speedboat by Rhyl RNLI crews
The party had set off from Rhyl on Sunday morning, 7 July and were preparing to return after a day's fishing just to the South-East corner of the Gwynt-Y-Mor windfarm off Rhyl. They discovered the starter motor had seized, and they were unable to start their engine by alternative means.
The vessel was about eight miles North of Rhyl, and so the coastguard put out an all-ships broadcast on the VHF radio, which resulted in a nearby windfarm support vessel 'Windcat 3' going to the aid of the vessel to prevent them drifting into the windfarm area. The boat was towed back to Rhyl, and met up with Rhyl's All-weather lifeboat about six miles to the North of the harbour. The tow was transferred to the lifeboat, and the four casualties were taken on board the lifeboat, whilst a lifeboat crew member stayed on the casualty vessel. As the tide was going out at Rhyl harbour, it was a race against time to get the vessel back with enough water in the harbour to be recovered on the slipway. To aid the speed and to move in the shallow water, the inshore lifeboat from Rhyl was launched, and towed the casualty vessel from the outer harbour to the slipway. The lifeboats then returned to station by 6.30pm.
Martin Jones, Coxswain of Rhyl lifeboat said ' The party were well-equipped with all the necessary safety equipment, but the range of the VHF radio was not very great. We are thankful to the skipper and crew of the windfarm supply vessel 'Windcat 3' for assisting to get the casualty away from danger'
The casualty vessel was assisted ashore by the local Coastguard rescue team to ensure all were safely brought ashore.
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