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Porthdinllaen RNLI assist in the rescue of sinking craft

Lifeboats News Release

Yesterday (31 July) afternoon, Porthdinllaen RNLI was requested to launch following a Mayday call received by HM Coastguard from a power boat taking in water near Caernarfon Bar

Porthdinllaen RNLI launching on a previous occasion

RNLI/Dylan Thomas

Porthdinllaen RNLI launching on a previous occasion

Involved in this multi-agency rescue was rescue Porthdinllaen, Trearddur Bay and Beaumaris RNLI along with HM Coastguard.

With reports that there were seven people and a dog on board, Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 936 from nearby Caernarfon Airport and Trearddur Bay RNLI's Atlantic class inshore lifeboat were tasked, as well as Porthdinllaen's Tamar class lifeboat that launched down the slipway at 3.25pm.

Porthdinllaen arrived on scene a short while after Trearddur Bay lifeboat, it was found that five of the casualties had already been transferred to another nearby boat, so a Porthdinllaen crew member was transferred along with a salvage pump aboard the casualty vessel.

After a short while of pumping the water ingress was taken under control, but with the vessel now posing a serious navigational hazard in the middle of the channel on Caernarfon Bar, it was decided that the safest option was to tow the vessel to the nearest safe port.

With a tow set up and under way, Beaumaris RNLI lifeboat was also launched at 4.58pm to meet up with Porthdinllaen lifeboat. The tow was successfully transferred, but with the Porthdinllaen crew member and salvage pump remaining on board the casualty vessel.

Porthdinllaen lifeboat was stood down and returned to station where it was refuelled and ready for service at 7.45pm.

Due to difficulties entering the docks at Caernarfon and Y Felinheli, the yacht was taken by Beaumaris lifeboat to Menai Bridge to be recovered from the water.

Once this had been undertaken the Beaumaris lifeboat was released by the Coastguard to return to station and was back by 7.04pm.

Owain Williams, Porthdinllaen RNLI Coxswain said:

'This was great example of teamwork between the three lifeboat stations involved, ensuring that all casualties and the vessel were returned safely ashore. Our thanks to our colleagues at Trearddur Bay and Beaumaris Lifeboat Stations for their 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.

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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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