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Abersoch lifeboat called out to drifting jet-ski with mechanical failure.

Lifeboats News Release

HM Coastguard paged the volunteer crew at 5.26pm Saturday 21 September requesting assistance to a broken-down jet-ski which was drifting towards Criccieth Castle from Black Rock Sands.

RNLI/Sarah Leather

The B-Class Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat was launched at 5.40pm. With only limited initial information being available they made best speed to the location, gaining further information on route.

On arrival at the scene Criccieth Coastguard team had sight of a jet-ski with two casualties on board some distance from the shoreline. Liaising with the Coastguard units ashore the lifeboat crew safely located the casualties and took them onboard the lifeboat to complete casualty care assessments. Whilst both appeared medically stable, they were starting to feel the effects of the cold having been adrift for a number of hours due to the tide and wind conditions. The casualties and craft were taken ashore where they were handed over to the care of the waiting local Coastguard team.

Andy Gunby, Abersoch RNLI volunteer helm, said ‘Although the casualties were both wearing in drysuits only one was wearing a lifejacket. Please ensure that you wear the correct PPE for the conditions, lifejackets are essential as is a means of calling for help’. He added, ‘If you get into difficulty make the call for assistance early rather than waiting, entering the water or leaving your vessel. You are much harder to spot if you are in the water away from your craft’.

The volunteer crew returned to the lifeboat station at 7.00pm where the lifeboat was washed down, refuelled and left ready for service.

If you get into difficulty or spot someone else in trouble dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

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.