Porthdinllaen RNLI assist broken down powerboat

The eight meter vessel, with two adults and and two children on board had sent a Pan Pan message out which was intercepted by UK Coastguard at Holyhead that they had suffered mechanical issues and were unable to manoeuvre. Once the lifeboat arrived on scene, Coxswain Owain Williams assessed the situation and it was decided that the safest option was to take the vessel in tow. With the adults and children happy to stay on board their own craft, a tow was passed at the first attempt and secured by a member of the stricken crafts crew, with the vessel towed to the safe haven of Victoria Dock in Caernarfon.

Coxswain Owain Williams said: ‘With the wind strengthening and the vessel experiencing engine issues, the crew made the right decision by issuing a Pan Pan radiotelephony message, this allowed us to get on location quickly and assist the casualty vessel back to the safety of Victoria Dock. They were well prepared with all on board wearing lifejackets and had the means to call for assistance’

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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