Porthdinllaen RNLI launched to assist commercial tug in difficulties

Porthdinllaen's All Weather Tamar Class Lifeboat, John D Spicer, was launched at the request of UK Coastguard at Holyhead. A call for assistance had been received from the tug's captain, stating that they had experienced engine failure on both engines, 9 miles off Bardsey Island.

The lifeboat, with Second Coxswain Robert Jones at the helm and a complement of volunteer crew, launched at 12:15 am, making the best possible speed towards the casualty. While on route, an update was received that the Tug had managed to restart one of its main engines and were making slow progress to the nearest Port of refuge at Holyhead. Arriving on scene, the situation was assessed by the coxswain and decided that the best course of action was for the lifeboat to escort the Tug for the remainder of the journey.

After a short while, the tug's engineer managed to restart the second engine, and making good headway now, the lifeboat remained alongside the tug for a further 30 minutes to ensure that all was well. The lifeboat then returned to the station at Porthdinllaen, refuelled and ready for service at 3:10am.

Second Coxswain Robert Jones said: 'We were glad to be of assistance to the tug. Luckily on this occasion the tug's crew were able to make repairs, and then proceed safely at their normal speed for the remainder of their of their journey.'


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