
Joint rescue by Porthdinllaen and Abersoch RNLI
Porthdinllaen RNLI's all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch after a call for assistance was received from a small leisure fishing craft in the Irish Sea.
The all-weather Tamar class lifeboat with a compliment of volunteer crew, launched down the slipway into calm seas at 1:30 pm on Wednesday 30 October.
While on route, more details were received that the casualty was a small 16ft dory type craft with two persons on board, and had suffered mechanical failure, having set off earlier in the morning from Pwllheli.
A companion boat was attempting to tow the craft but was making little headway. It was established that the craft was in a position approximately 10 miles south-west of Bardsey Island and over 30 miles from Porthdinllaen.
Making the best possible speed the lifeboat arrived alongside the casualty vessel and after assessing the situation, it was clear the companion boat was not capable of the long distance tow without serious strain on it's own engine, meaning the casualty vessel had no means of returning safely to shore.
So it was decided that the safest option was for the two persons to remain onboard their craft and a tow line to be securely established with the lifeboat. The lifeboat then proceeded with the tow at a safe speed towards Pwllheli Harbour.
It was decided on route that Abersoch lifeboat would rendezvous with the Porthdinllaen lifeboat to take over the tow. The tow was successfully transferred over to Abersoch at Trwyn Cilan near Abersoch. With Porthdinllaen lifeboat released from the service, it returned to station and was washed down, refuelled, and ready for service by 8pm.
Robert Jones, Second Coxswain at Porthdinllaen said: ‘As always we advise any craft that ventures out to sea, to advise HM Coastguard and friends or family ashore of what their intentions are, where they are going and when to expect them back safely.
'I'd also like to thank our fellow volunteer crew from Abersoch RNLI for their assistance today, it is always a pleasure working alongside our flanking station’.
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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