Moelfre RNLI Volunteers Search and Locate Elusive Yacht.
Moelfre RNLI all-weather lifeboat Kiwi was tasked by HM Coastguard at approximately 10:15 pm (18.07.20) to reports of a yacht with machinery failure, believed to be in the vicinity of Moelfre Bay.
The ALB launched and attempted to establish radio communications with the vessel who was unsure of his exact location. Unfortunately, his radio signal strength was very weak that raised concerns that he may not be in Moelfre Bay as first thought. Another vessel was also with the casualty but again was unable to give the Coastguard a clear and exact location.
Local Coastguard teams from Moelfre, Penmon and Cemaes were also tasked in searching for the vessel.
Fortunately, the second vessel had a red flare that could be used to identify their approximate location. This was fired and quickly spotted by all involved. The Lifeboat proceeded on a bearing towards the Red Flare and eventually got good enough radio contact to be able to get a bearing using the lifeboats direction finding equipment.
A Radar target was then established, and the volunteers of RNLI Moelfre lifeboat located the casualty approximately 5 miles North of Puffin Island.
A tow was established, and the lifeboat proceeded towards the safety of Gallows point. During the tow Beaumaris RNLI Lifeboat were also tasked to a separate incident.
Moelfre Lifeboat towed the casualty vessel down towards Gallows point where they handed over the tow to Beaumaris lifeboat once they had completed their own tasking, who took over the tow and secured the vessel to a safe mooring.
The lifeboat returned to the station and rehoused just before 02:30 am sanitized and made ready for any further calls.
Moelfre volunteer Launch Authority Andrew Jeffrey said:
“This was a late night and early morning rescue for our volunteer crews, not forgetting the family’s they leave at home. What should have been a routine rescue was made difficult because the vessel was unable to share their location accurately, meaning multiple emergency services were involved in locating the vessel. Fortunately, the second vessel had an emergency red flare, which helped locate them. This highlights the importance of checking your communication equipment and ensuring you carry suitable emergency equipment prior to departure. I would like to thank the volunteer crews from Moelfre and Beaumaris and other volunteer emergency services who responded tonight”.
For further information, please contact Phil Williams, Moelfre Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07773 979910
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.
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