Abersoch RNLI respond to mayday call at Porth Ceiriad
The volunteer crew were out on a training exercise when they received the call to assist from Holyhead Coastguard.
The two adult casualties made the mayday call after they became stranded at Porth Ceiriad due to their jet ski experiencing problems.
The crew made their way to the south end of Porth Ceiriad where they spotted the two casualties on a rock in the bay. The jet ski, which was starting to sink, was floating nearby.
The casualties were well equipped with the appropriate clothing, buoyancy aids and a VHF radio which they used to make the mayday call. They had also anchored the jet ski to prevent it from drifting out to sea.
The lifeboat crew recovered the two casualties into the lifeboat and after establishing a safe tow the jet ski and both casualties were returned to the beach where they were assisted by the Abersoch Coastguard team.
The jet ski was recovered by the launching tractor onto its trailer and once out of the water a large hole could be seen in the bottom which had caused it to start sinking.
The volunteer crew returned to the Lifeboat Station at 11.00am where the lifeboat was washed down, refuelled and left ready for service.
Abersoch RNLI volunteer helm, Elissa Williams, said, ‘It was great that they had a VHF with them to call for help and that they were wearing suitable clothing.’ She added, ‘Had they not had the VHF they could have been waiting an extremely long time to be spotted, if at all, due to their location.’ She also pointed out ‘having an anchor on board had meant that the vessel was prevented from drifting out to sea which could have been hazardous to other vessels.’
Elissa stressed the importance of always checking your equipment before launching for any damage, ensuring bungs are present and working and that you have sufficient fuel.
If you get into difficulty, or spot someone else in trouble, call 999 and ask for the 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.
· RNLI media contacts
For more information contact Sarah Leather, Abersoch Lifeboat Press Officer 07583 084338 or email [email protected]. Alternatively contact Claire Elshaw, RNLI Regional Media Officer on 07468 353082 or email [email protected].
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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