It’s go go go at Pwllheli RNLI

Sunday 19 May 2019

Pwllheli RNLI volunteers were at their annual curry fundraising evening when the pagers sounded to launch the inshore lifeboat to a person in the water

Pwllheli volunteers were just tucking in to their curry when the pagers sounded on Friday night to a possible person in the water that had been knocked off their paddle board. As the event was only held 500 yards from the station the crew quickly assembled and launched the inshore lifeboat Robert J Wright into the Harbour at 9:34pm.

After an initial search along the shoreline, the casualty was found in the water holding on to their paddle board. They were quickly brought onto the inshore lifeboat as they had been subjected to cold water for a prolonged period. Upon arrival on the beach, the crew were still not satisfied with the condition of the casualty, a decision was made to call for an ambulance to assess the condition of the casualty further.

The crew transferred the casualty over to the care of the paramedics and returned to station.

Bryn Ellis, Helmsman on-board the lifeboat mentioned that

“If anyone finds themselves in difficulty whilst on a paddle board or similar board, should always stay with their board and always carry a mean of contacting the coastguard if in any difficulty. If you do get detached from your board, and fall in the water, fight the instinct to swim until the cold-water shock passes, lean back and extend your arms and legs, float until you can control your breathing and only when your breathing is under control, call for help or swim to safety”

The fundraising meanwhile continued in full swing while the inshore lifeboat was on service with acts from Heather Dackombe, Michelle Nash & Kirk Ward with everyone enjoying a curry freshly prepared by Pontoon. The night was a sell-out event raising in excess of £1000 towards our Boathouse Appeal to house our new Shannon Class Lifeboat, that’s due to arrive in 2020. From all of us here at the station we’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone that supported the event, it was a great evening had by all.

The next morning the fundraising continued with the Marina Berth Holders conducting a beach clean along Abererch beach. In total, the volunteers collected 14 bags of rubbish which is an amazing achievement and generated £45 in the raffle afterwards, a great total with the contributions also going towards the Boathouse Appeal.

For more information contact Tomos Moore, Pwllheli Lifeboat Press Officer on 07552 446447. Alternatively contact Eleri Roberts, RNLI Public Relations Manager on 07771 941390 or email [email protected].

Pontoon fundraising event — RNLI curry evening at Pontoon

Beach clean on Abererch beach — Beach clean event

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.

It’s go go go at Pwllheli RNLI

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