Conwy RNLI launched to assist yacht on fire

The 4 crew had noticed smoke emanating from the engine space hatch. After initially attempting to extinguish using fire extinguishers, the fire unfortunately escalated out of control. They subsequently raised the alarm and were successfully assisted off the vessel shortly after. There was an Easterly breeze, coupled with an incoming flood tide, which subsequently carried the yacht upriver, in the direction of the town quay. Conwy lifeboat stood by, monitored the situation and updated UK Coastguard as appropriate.

Ashore, multiple agencies were gathering on Conwy Quay. UK Coastguard Llandudno Coastguard Rescue Team, North Wales Police and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service were all in attendance.

By now the fire was well established and the vessel drifted onto a pontoon opposite the Quay wall and was held against another smaller vessel which sadly also caught fire. Given the billowing smoke, the decision was made to close off the Quay.

The Harbour Office’s barge, under command of the Harbour Master, successfully assisted the fire service with transporting firefighters and equipment to help successfully extinguish the fire.

Unfortunately whilst the casualty vessel was being re located towards the shoreside, it succumbed to its damage, and sank. The secondary yacht which had caught fire was successfully moved to the foreshore, so as to assist the fire service in ascertaining whether the fire was fully extinguished.

Shortly before 4pm the lifeboat recovered and was washed, refuelled and made ready for future service calls.

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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