Early Hours Call For Holyhead Lifeboat Volunteers
The volunteer crew at Holyhead RNLI were roused from their beds in the early hours of this morning (Monday 2 September) when a lone sailor got into difficulty just off the coast.
Within minutes, they had arrived at the scene, and a lifeboat crew member was placed aboard to check on the sailor’s welfare and to assist with the use of fenders and lines.
On assessing all to be well, and that the sailor, who had travelled from Wicklow, Ireland in her 6 metre Cornish shrimper, had simply become tired and slightly disorientated, the ILB began escorting the vessel to the shore. However, the casualty vessel then suffered an engine failure, and so a tow line was established, and the craft was safely towed to the marina area.
The lifeboat was then returned to station, and was ready for service again shortly before 3am.
ILB helm Stephanie Fleming said the vessel had been in excellent condition, and the sailor had all correct equipment. She added:
‘The sailor had visited the area previously, before Storm Emma devastated the layout of the harbour, and as local almanacs are showing the marina as still in its previous state, she had become disorientated, and had rightly called for help.’
For any further information, please contact Vicki Owens, Holyhead RNLI 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 142,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.