Foggy Rescue Conditions For Holyhead RNLI
Holyhead RNLI volunteer crew were called out this evening (Thursday July 11) to a boat in trouble in deteriorating weather just off the Holyhead coast.
Pagers sounded just before 8pm, citing a 32ft motor vessel, with two people on board, in difficulty half a mile from the Holyhead Breakwater end.
The inshore lifeboat Mary and Archie Hooper was launched soon after the call, and the four volunteers headed off to the location.
Initially weather was good, with a calm sea, and the lifeboat reached the stricken vessel quickly. The couple on board, who were on a fishing excursion to celebrate their 38th wedding anniversary, were in good health and fully equipped with lifejackets.
A tow was very quickly established, but a heavy fog began to descend, making visibility very poor. On contacting the UK coastguard to get permission to begin heading back with the stricken boat, the lifeboat crew were advised that the Stena Superfast ferry was embarking on her journey to Ireland, and it was too dangerous to attempt to cross her path at that point.
Heeding the advice, the lifeboat and casualty craft stayed clear of the ferry’s path for several minutes. As visibility was so poor, the lifeboat crew could not see the large ferry. They knew she was close; but using the specialist navigation equipment on board the ILB, they were able to retreat to a safe position and monitor the larger vessel so she could pass safely.
As soon as it was safe to do so, the crew then made their way back with the vessel, placing her on a mooring within Holyhead harbour.
ILB helm Dave Roberts said the crew worked well with the navigation equipment to ensure the rescue was carried out safely and efficiently.
He said:
‘The couple on board were relieved to see us. We got there just in time before the fog really descended; it was lucky they called us when they did. They were well equipped and just unlucky to suffer problems. I don’t think it was the anniversary night out they had planned!’
Lifeboat Operations Manager at Holyhead, David Owens, said,
‘This is a perfect example of how quickly weather conditions can change. When our crew set off at 8pm, it was bright and visibility was excellent, but this all changed rapidly, and in less than half an hour, the fog made for very challenging conditions with such poor visibility.’
He added;
‘The volunteers showed their adaptability at being able to cope so well with the changing conditions, using skills they have developed during hours of training.’
The ILB was back at station by 9.15pm, where she was prepared for further service.
For further information, please contact Vicki Owens, Holyhead Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07531 681409 or [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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