
Porthdinllaen and Pwllheli RNLI lifeboats assist powerless yacht in Cardigan Bay
Porthdinllaen RNLI all-weather Tamar Class lifeboat was tasked by HM Coastguard at Holyhead to assist yacht drifting in Cardigan Bay
The lifeboat with Coxswain Owain Williams at the helm and a compliment of volunteer crew launched at 2:49 am to a 30-foot yacht. The yacht, with three persons on board, had suffered mechanical problems but due to lack of wind, was unable to make use its sails. The lifeboat made the best possible speed towards the last reported position of the yacht, which was approximately 6 miles South of Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island).
Arriving on location, it was decided that the safest option was to tow the vessel to the nearest safe haven at Pwllheli Marina. A tow line was passed to the yacht at the first attempt and once secured, the lifeboat commenced with the tow.
Pwllheli`s all-weather Shannon Class lifeboat was launched at 05:30 am, rendezvousing with Porthdinllaen near Trwyn y Wylfa near Abersoch where the tow was successfully transferred for Pwllheli lifeboat for the remainder of the journey to Pwllheli Marina. After over 5 hours at sea, Porthdinllaen lifeboat made its way back to its station with both lifeboats washed down, refuelled, and ready for service.
Kenneth Fitzpatrick, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Porthdinllaen said: 'We were glad to be able assist the yacht and wish to thank our colleagues at Pwllheli Lifeboat Station for their assistance today.'
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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