Beaumaris and Porthdinllaen RNLI lifeboats launch to a yacht near Caernarfon Bar

The Beaumaris Inshore Atlantic 85 Lifeboat Annette Mary Liddington launched and proceeded at the maximum speed commensurate with safe navigation to the location given.

When they arrived at the scene the Porthdinllaen lifeboat had managed to get a tow line aboard the yacht. In view of the fact that the three crew members aboard the sailing boat had suffered injuries. Despite the heavy seas a casualty care trained lifeboat volunteer from the Beaumaris lifeboat boarded the craft to establish the extent of their injuries.

Two of the crew had suffered superficial facial injuries however the third crew member appeared to be suffering from shock being distressed and feeling extremely cold.

It was decided to evacuate this person to the shore for transfer to hospital whilst the other two elected to remain aboard whilst the yacht was towed back to Porthdinllaen.

Despite the use of their thermal protective aids the condition of the injured person deteriorated and a request was made for the Coastguard Helicopter to Medevac the casualty.

The lifeboat arrived off Victoria Dock where the Bangor Coastguard Rescue Team had arrived whilst the helicopter was en route but it was decided that evacuation by helicopter would be the best course of action. The lifeboat then rendezvoused with the helicopter

At 11.08 am a successful transfer by winch was made from the lifeboat to the helicopter and the lifeboat was cleared by the U.K. Coastguard to return to Beaumaris

In the meantime Porthdinllaen lifeboat towed the yacht back to safety at Porthdinllaen.

The Beaumaris lifeboat returned to her station 11.32 am being refuelled and made ready for her next service call by 12.05 pm.

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.