Two Afternoon Shouts For Holyhead RNLI
Two separate shouts, involving a tangled propeller and a possible distressed dolphin, meant both of RNLI Holyhead’s lifeboats were called out today (Wednesday June 2nd).
The volunteer crew of the all-weather lifeboat were paged at 3pm, after a 20ft day-fisher vessel, with four people on board, got into difficulty below Elin’s Tower, South Stack. Her propeller had become entangled in a lobster pot rope.
Co-ordinated by HM Coastguard, the Severn-class Christopher Pearce was quickly on scene, and used a grappling hook to free the lobster pot rope from the sea bed. Once the casualty vessel was freed, the lifeboat carried out an alongside tow into safer water; and on reaching open water, then changed to an astern tow towards Holyhead. On reaching the inner harbour, an alongside tow was once again utilised to place the craft onto her Holyhead Sailing Club mooring. The ALB then headed back to her berth in Holyhead Port.
No sooner had the volunteers returned and prepared the lifeboat for any further calls, the crew were once again called out to reports of a distressed dolphin in the Bolsach area of Newry Beach. The D-class inshore lifeboat Mary and Archie Hooper was launched, and on reaching the scene, began to investigate the area. Nothing was found, but the lifeboat crew remained at the location until the arrival of British Divers Marine Life Rescue, who took over the search, allowing the lifeboat to return to station to be prepared for service.
Holyhead lifeboat coxswain Tony Price said the incident with the tangled propeller was the latest incident of a similar nature in the area, and warned sailors to beware.
‘It’s worth knowing that there have been several recent cases of loose ropes and lobster pots causing problems for vessels. Possibly sailors are getting in close to the rocky coastal areas to get a closer look at the nesting wildlife, including puffins – but there is a danger to propellers there that they may not realise.'
He added,
'Regarding the dolphin, I really hope it managed to get to safer waters. It's brilliant that the public are all so vigilant when it comes to caring for our marine life. It's also great that the coastguard can call for professionals to deal with these incidents; and we'd like to thank the British Divers Marine Life Rescue for attending so quickly.'
For any further information, please contact Vicki Owens, Holyhead Lifeboat 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.
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