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Busy Sunday afternoon for RNLI Moelfre volunteers

Lifeboats News Release

Sunday afternoon (17/7/2022) RNLI Moelfre inshore lifeboat was tasked to reports of a person on an inflatable paddleboard struggling to get back to shore at Benllech.

Moelfre CRT.

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The ILB quickly located the casualty, the casualty and inflatable were recovered and then ferried ashore to the awaiting Moelfre Coastguard Team, who then offered safety advice to ensure that the next time they went out on their paddleboard, they remained safe.

With the offshore wind increasing and several watercrafts still on the water, the Moelfre Coastguard team increased their patrols. Soon after several more tasks were reported, the decision was made that Moelfre all-weather lifeboat should also launch to assist the ILB.
Both boats were out for several hours rescuing many types of watercrafts at various locations from Lligwy to Llanddona.

With all persons recovered safely back to the beach at Lligwy, the ILB, having been in service for a few hours, was stood down with thanks, and the ALB was requested to return to Benllech Bay and provide a safety sweep before returning to the boat house.

Inshore lifeboat was launched twice to deal with eight incidents.
The all-weather lifeboat had to deal with seven incidents.

Lifeboat Helmsman Mike Hughes-Roberts said “We cannot emphasise enough the dangers of using inflatable toys on the sea. They are designed for use in pools not in open water, and in any offshore wind can easily and quickly be carried out to sea.”
“On this occasion, the casualty reported to us he had not realised the strength of the wind, and we advise all beachgoers and those venturing into and onto the water to always be aware of wind and tide and if using small craft of any type, to be properly equipped with buoyancy aids, a means of communication such as a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch and clothing suitable for the kind of activity being undertaken”.

For further information, please contact Phil Williams, Moelfre Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07773 979910


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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About the author

Phil Williams
Lifeboat Press Officer, Moelfre Lifeboat Station

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