Criccieth RNLI Lifeboat rescues two persons aboard adrift inflatable dinghy
At 4.55pm on Tuesday the 29th of June 2020 volunteer Crewmembers from Criccieth’s RNLI Lifeboat Station launched following a call that had been made to HM Coastguard by one of two occupants aboard an inflatable dinghy that was being swept away from Criccieth by an offshore wind.
The Crew promptly launched their Atlantic 85 class Lifeboat, Doris Joan, and headed towards the dinghy’s position some 500m south-east of Criccieth. Once on-scene, the Crew assessed the occupants to ensure no medical care was required prior to transferring both aboard the Lifeboat and returning them ashore at Criccieth Beach and to the care of Criccieth’s Coastguard Team. Whilst the pair were carrying a mobile phone to call for help and an oar, neither had a lifejacket. One had entered the water with the aim of swimming ashore but had thankfully returned to the dinghy to await rescue.
The RNLI’s advice regarding the use of inflatable watercraft is that they should not be used on any open water and only used in swimming pools. In addition, anyone going afloat should always wear a lifejacket and be prepared for changes in wind direction and a turning tide, all of which had been contributing factors in this instance as the pair had had no intention of heading further than a few metres from the beach.
ENDS
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