Mayday Call For Holyhead RNLI
Another late night call meant that volunteers with Holyhead RNLI were called out for a second time yesterday (Thursday July 25), to answer a Mayday call.
Pagers sounded at 11.05pm, requesting the immediate launch of both lifeboats. Crew assembled and were quickly en route, not knowing the exact circumstances of the casualty vessel.
At first it was unclear as to the exact whereabouts of the craft, and Holyhead coastguard worked with the casualty to pinpoint a location, which was five miles north west of the Breakwater end.
The all-weather lifeboat Christopher Pearce and D-class inshore lifeboat Mary and Archie Hooper worked with the coastguard to pinpoint the stricken vessel, and the all-weather lifeboat made direct communication with the casualty via radio to gather further details.
It was discovered that the 26-foot vessel had two people and a dog on board. The yacht had suffered electrical failure, and loss of lighting, and they were in the vicinity of local shipping lanes. The sailors had become concerned and disorientated as to their exact whereabouts and as a result had issued a Mayday.
On reaching the vessel, two lifeboat crew members were placed aboard the yacht to make sure all was well, reassure the occupants, and to help establish a tow. The all-weather lifeboat then towed the craft back to the Holyhead Marina area.
The ILB headed back to station at approximately 2am, and the all-weather lifeboat was back at her berth by 2.30am, where she was washed down ready for any further service, and crews then returned home to their beds.
The call was the crew’s second in less than eight hours, and their third in 48 hours. It was their second late night call this week.
Coxswain at Holyhead RNLI Tony Price said:
‘We would always advise passage planning, and it is crucial when in busy shipping areas or approaching ports. Anyone embarking on a journey at sea should consider everything before they set off, and ensure they are equipped with all the correct items and safety gear, such as ropes, fenders, in date flares and of course, lifejackets.’
For further details please contact Vicki Owens. Holyhead Lifeboat Press Officer on 07531 681409 or email [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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.