Abersoch RNLI called out to assist casualty taken ill during family day out.

The crew were paged at 14.54 and the ‘Peter and Ann Setten’ Atlantic 85 lifeboat was launched at 15.08pm and was requested to give initial medical assistance and then subsequent medical extraction.

In a calm sea-state and fair weather conditions, on arrival at the scene the male casualty was found lying down in the cabin of a large power boat where he reported feeling clammy and faint.

RNLI volunteer helm, Fritz Williams, decided that due to the difficulty moving the casualty, and the fact that he was in a warm comfortable vessel, they would stay on board to give medical assistance whilst the vessel travelled to Pwllheli Marina where extraction directly into an ambulance would be safer and easier. The lifeboat crew followed behind.

On arrival at the marina the vessel was met by the UK Coastguard team, paramedics and the Coastguard Search & Rescue 936 helicopter paramedic. The casualty was then transferred to hospital for further examination.

The lifeboat then returned to Porth Ceiriad where they assisted the family by escorting their other vessel onto a mooring at Abersoch before returning to the station at 18.10pm where the lifeboat was then thoroughly washed down, refuelled and left ready for service.

Abersoch RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, Andy Vowell, said, ‘The family took the correct action in swiftly requesting help when the skipper reported feeling unwell. The vessel was well equipped with VHF radio, mobile phone and flares and they were therefore able to communicate quickly and efficiently with the UK Coastguard’.

Notes to editors

· Abersoch Lifeboat Station has been operating for just over 150 years. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/abersoch-lifeboat-station

· The current B Class Atlantic 85 Lifeboat the ‘Peter & Ann Setten’ launches to a variety of both commercial and leisure craft call-outs.

· Photo credit: Emma Wood, Abersoch RNLI

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.