Holyhead RNLI Assist in Multi Agency Search

The station's inshore D-class Mary and Archie Hooper was paged initially at 5.50pm. The UK Coastguard had limited information, but it was reported there may be a dinghy containing one or two individuals, in some difficulty. Local volunteer coastguard rescue teams had also been called.

The ILB launched quickly, and the all-weather lifeboat Christopher Pearce was paged shortly after 6.15pm to provide assistance in illuminating the area or widening the search if necessary.

For over an hour, the crew on both lifeboats searched the area concerned, assisting the coastguard teams. No one was found in the water; however a dinghy was found and secured, and one person was located on the breakwater, in a cold and disorientated state, and was assisted by the coastguard. He was then passed to the care of North Wales Police and North Wales Ambulance. Lifeboats were then stood down and returned to shore.

Both boats were fully sanitised and prepared for further service by 7.30pm.

Lifeboat Operations Manager at Holyhead RNLI, David Owens said:

‘It’s vital now more than ever that the public adhere to guidelines issued for their own safety, to stay home and not put themselves or the emergency services at risk. We will always launch to help anyone in trouble; however we also would implore the public to do their part and be as sensible as possible.’

He added,

‘Our crews are volunteers, and we and our families are as at risk as everyone else.’

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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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.