Donate now

Red flare reported means launching the Beaumaris Lifeboat.

Lifeboats News Release

At 6.43 pm on Sunday 5 February 2023 the volunteer crew members of the Beaumaris lifeboat received a page form the U.K. Coastguard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre at Holyhead relating to a report of a red distress flare being seen.

Late night recovery of Beaumaris Lifeboat

RNLI/ P Blackwell

Late night recovery of Beaumaris Lifeboat

The Beaumaris Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Annette Mary Liddington with her volunteer crew launched at 6.55 pm and proceeded to commence a search of the water near Caernarfon between Aber Menai and Dinas Dinlle.

In addition, the Bangor and Rhosneigr Mobile Coastguard Rescue Teams also began a shoreline search on both sides of the Menai Strait.

The lifeboat used a white parachute flare as well as searchlight, radar and other visual aids during the search, whilst the coastguard attempted to obtain more definite information. It was possible that a comet visible that night might have been mistaken for the flare. An examination of pictures taken showed that if it was indeed a flare then it would have been launched from the shore. When after searching for hours, nothing had been discovered the U.K. Coastguard instructed the lifeboat and the coastguard teams to discontinue the search.

The lifeboat arrived back at Beaumaris at 9.40 pm to be refuelled and prepared for her next service call out. Once this had been completed the crew left for home.

A RNLI Spokesman said ‘It is always better for people to call the coastguard if they believe that someone is in distress on the water and in need of 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.

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.

Categories