
Abersoch RNLI and Porthdinllaen RNLI tasked to assist fishing vessel with engine
The volunteer crew were paged by HM Coastguard at 1.48pm Wednesday 30 October following a report of a 16ft fishing vessel with engine failure. The Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat was launched at 2.10pm. Using paper charts a course was plotted to assist them in locating the casualty vessel.
The casualty vessel with two people on board was situated 10 miles south west of Bardsey Island. Porthdinllaen all-weather Tamar class lifeboat located the casualty vessel and after assessing the situation established a safe tow to ensure the safety of the casualties as the companion boat which had attempted to tow the craft was unable to safely tow for a long distance without considerable strain on its own engine.
Abersoch inshore lifeboat altered course and headed towards Trwyn Cilan where it was arranged they would take over the tow. The tow was successfully transferred and they departed Trwyn Cilan at 5.26pm. The casualty vessel was towed at a safe speed to Pwllheli Marina. The crew left the casualties at 6.44pm and returned to the lifeboat station where the lifeboat was washed down and refuelled by the volunteer shore crew.
Abersoch RNLI volunteer helm, Elissa Williams, said ‘This was a long shout lasting over 5 hours which involved ourselves and our fellow crew at Porthdinllaen. The crew did an excellent job utilising their extensive training to enable them to navigate using paper charts whilst on the lifeboat.’ She added, ‘The casualties did the right thing calling for help and were well equipped with lifejackets and distress comms.’
If you get into difficulty or spot someone else in trouble dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
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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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