Lifeboat Crews Attend Emergency Call for Injured Man
Holyhead and Moelfre RNLI volunteers were involved in a call yesterday (Wednesday 2 April) when a man became injured on the Skerries, off the coast of Anglesey.
Pagers first sounded at around 5pm, requesting the launch of both lifeboats to the man, who had sustained an injury to his arm while working as part of a group on the Skerries islet, 7 miles from Holyhead Breakwater.
The inshore lifeboat launched within minutes, and the all-weather lifeboat volunteers headed to Holyhead Port where the current relief all-weather lifeboat, Frederick Storey Cockburn is currently berthed. However due to heavy traffic in the area, delaying crew from reaching the port, it was decided by HM Coastguard to request the launch of the ALB from flank station Moelfre, to assist in the rescue.
Holyhead’s inshore lifeboat Mary and Archie Hooper reached the scene at approximately 5.40pm, and two casualty care-trained crewmen were placed ashore to access the injured man.
It was established that the man had fallen and injured his elbow, and had been supported by his colleagues who had helped him to the safety of the lighthouse to await the arrival of the lifeboat crews.
On arrival, Holyhead’s volunteers placed the man’s arm in a sling, and he was then transported onto Moelfre’s all-weather lifeboat Kiwi, which had arrived at the scene. A Holyhead volunteer was also transferred aboard to assist with treating and monitoring the casualty’s condition.
As both lifeboats headed back to shore, they were met by Holyhead’s ALB, which then provided safety cover for the ILB due to the blustery conditions.
The man was safely brought back to Holyhead Marina, where he was met by volunteers from the local coastguard team, and further assessed.
The Moelfre crew then headed back to their station, and both Holyhead boats were made ready for service by 8pm. The casualty was then transferred to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor to be treated for his injuries.
Reflecting on the rescue, Holyhead coxswain Mark Wade said:
‘This was a great example of us working with other volunteers, including our flank station Moelfre RNLI, and the local coastguard team, to assist the casualty. We would like to wish the man a full and speedy recovery from his injuries.’
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.