RNLI Moelfre Volunteers Paged to Yacht in Difficulties
Moelfre Lifeboat station volunteers were paged this morning to reports of someone in difficulty in Porth Eilian, near Point Lynas. The initial information and report was received by phone and details were very limited
Holyhead Coastguard also tasked Coastguard team members from Moelfre to try and locate the people, Whilst the Moelfre RNLI all-weather lifeboat Kiwi was launched and proceeded to the North.
As further information was obtained, it was confirmed that the people in distress were onboard a yacht anchored in Porth Eilian, they had also issued a ‘May Day’ VHF call, but due to their close proximity to cliffs of Point Lynas their call for assistance wasn’t received. There was 3 adults, a young child and a dog onboard.
The crew of the vessel were unable to recover their anchor and steam clear of the rocky bay and were concerned with the swell that had increased over night. A local commercial fishing vessel ‘Boy James’ proceeded to the Yacht and quickly established a tow taking the yacht and its crew into clear waters. Once the lifeboat arrived on scene it was decided that the vessel, which had now managed to start their own engine would be escorted into the safety of Amlwch harbour.
Relief lifeboat coxswain Martin Jones Said:
“Unusually, the initial information received was from the casualty by telephone to our lifeboat shop, luckily someone was there to take the call and relay the message via 999 to the coastguard.
We would like to remind anyone who is in distress, on the coast or at sea to dial 999 and ask for the coastguard at the earliest opportunity to prevent any delay to assistance, or confusion. We would like to thank the skipper and crew of the local fishing boat for their swift actions in towing the yacht clear of danger”
Once the yacht was made secure in Amlwch port with the assistance of the coastguard team, the lifeboat returned to Moelfre and was Rehoused at around 10:30.
For further information, please contact Phil Williams, Moelfre Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07773 979910
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