Yacht dramatically stranded on rocks: two people rescued by RNLI crew
Dramatic footage shows a 25-foot yacht with two people onboard stuck on rocks off the Anglesey coast. Holyhead RNLI volunteers were called on Sunday afternoon to help the vessel which had run aground in a falling tide.
The charity’s volunteers were called at 1.52pm on Sunday 19 May and quickly launched their all-weather lifeboat. The yacht had gone aground on the rocky island of The Skerries, approximately two miles from the coast at Carmel Head, Anglesey.
On arrival, it became clear to the lifeboat crew that the vessel could not be moved due to the low tide. The lifeboat crew launched the lifeboat’s Y-boat to check the condition of the casualty vessel and brought the yacht’s crew of two onboard the lifeboat and returned them to safety at Holyhead at around 5pm.
After consulting with Holyhead Coastguard, the volunteer lifeboat crew re-assembled at 7pm, along with the yacht’s owner, and launched the station’s inshore and all-weather lifeboats.
The inshore lifeboat was then able to manoeuvre the yacht into a safe position. The lifeboat crew waited for the vessel to rise with the flooding tide, before being moved into deeper water for a tow to be established by the all-weather lifeboat. The yacht was then towed back to Holyhead Harbour.
Holyhead RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager David Owens said:
‘It was a great team effort from all of the crew, who once again showed their immense skill and dedication. Thankfully, both the casualties and our volunteers all returned safely to shore after several hours at sea.
‘This incident shows how, even in calm weather, the tides can render even an experienced sailor helpless. Thankfully he had means of calling for help and did the right thing in doing so.'
Holyhead RNLI Coxswain Craig Stalman said:
'It was unusual for us to be called out in such calm conditions, there was a big spring tide of eight knots running around the Skerries, and the crew all worked together to achieve a successful outcome. As we waited for the tide to rise, we were accompanied by dozens of seals who seems to be enjoying the spectacle.'
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