Abersoch RNLI tasked to assist motorboat with mechanical problems.

The lifeboat was launched at 6.10pm and arrived at the scene at 6.37pm. The casualty vessel, with two people on board, had an anchor down but it was not holding and they were drifting at around 3 knots. The two casualties were well equipped with lifejackets, flares and communication equipment. They were making passage from Scotland to Cardiff after recently purchasing the vessel when they ran into difficulty.

The all-weather lifeboat from Pwllheli RNLI had been requested to launch to assist and due to the location of the casualty vessel and concerns that it was in danger of drifting and hitting the rocks, a safe tow was established and the inshore lifeboat proceeded to tow the vessel. Pwllheli RNLI took over the tow at Cilan and towed the vessel to Pwllheli Marina where they arrived around 11.00pm.

A spokesperson for Abersoch RNLI said, ‘The sailing conditions at Bardsey Sound can prove challenging. There are strong tidal currents, and it is important to ensure that you plan your passage through the Sound carefully’. They added, ‘Always have a means of calling for help such as a VHF radio as mobile phone signal is not always guaranteed’.

The lifeboat left the casualty vessel at 7.54pm and returned to the station where the lifeboat was washed down, refuelled and left ready for service at 8.45pm.

If you get into difficulty or spot someone else in trouble dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Sarah Leather, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Wales & West, [email protected]

Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Wales, West of England and Isle of Man, 07977 728 315, [email protected]

Danielle Rush, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Wales, West of England and Isle of Man, 07786 668829, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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