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Yacht with two people on board receives assistance from Porthdinllaen RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

Porthdinllaen RNLI volunteer crew were requested to launch to assist a yacht with two people on board near Porth Colmon.

Porthdinllaen Lifeboat launching

RNLI/Dylan Thomas

Porthdinllaen Lifeboat launching

The lifeboat was tasked at 2.20pm after HM Coastguard had received a request for assistance from the yacht which was suffering fuel issues and damaged rigging on its main mast. Making the best possible speed to the location on a sunny Sunday (18 August) afternoon, the lifeboat was alongside the casualty vessel within 20 minutes of launching.

With two persons on board, the yacht, which was on passage from Holyhead to Pwllheli, managed to restart their engine, and although they were making headway slowly, it was decided that the lifeboat would escort them through the treacherous Bardsey Sound to the safety of Aberdaron Bay. Upon arriving at Aberdaron, and in calm waters, a colleague of the yacht's crew arrived alongside. It was decided that they would stay alongside the yacht in their rigid inflatable boat to provide reassurance to the crew, thus relieving the lifeboat of its duties.

The lifeboat then returned to its station at Porthdinllaen and was refuelled and ready for service by 5.25pm. Keneth Fitzpatrick, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Porthdinllaen added:

'Although the yacht was able to resume its journey at a safe and slow speed after carrying out repairs, it was decided as a safety precaution that the lifeboat would stay alongside the craft until it had navigated Bardsey Sound to the calmer waters of Aberdaron Bay. As usual our volunteer crew were more than happy to assist in what has been a busy period for our team here at Porthdinllaen RNLI.'

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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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.

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