Aberdyfi RNLI crew battle failing light and rough seas to save stricken yacht

Aberdyfi RNLI’s volunteer crew were paged at 7.46pm on Thursday 20 August to launch immediately to the casualty vessel, which had two men, a woman and a dog on board.

With the sun setting and a north-westerly wind of force 4–5 creating a sea state with waves of more than a metre, the operation was already underway when the volunteer crew aboard Aberdyfi's Atlantic 85 Hugh Miles arrived on scene.

HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 336 was first to reach the vessel and remained on scene to monitor the situation. Barmouth RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat also attended. On arrival, Aberdyfi RNLI liaised with the Coastguard and went alongside the casualty vessel. Crew member Alun boarded the yacht to assess the situation and investigate where the water was entering. Water was found to be coming into the vessel through the engine house, although the source of the ingress could not be established.

The three people and their dog were then transferred to Barmouth RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat, where they could be given shelter. Using Aberdyfi RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, the casualties carefully stepped from the yacht onto the lifeboat before being transferred onto Barmouth’s vessel. The transfer was made more challenging by the deteriorating light and waves of more than a metre.

Due to the distance from shore and the sea state, it was decided that towing the yacht was not safe at that time. The vessel was therefore left in position, with a notice issued to alert other vessels to the potential hazard to navigation.

For newly qualified Aberdyfi RNLI crew member Gemma, the operation marked her third shout in just one week. However, the operation did not end there.

At 1.44pm on Friday 21 August, the Aberdyfi RNLI crew were paged again by HM Coastguard and tasked with locating the drifting vessel and assessing its condition.

With the yacht continuing to pose a hazard to navigation, the crew located the vessel and anchored it to prevent it from drifting further. They then used the lifeboat’s small salvage pump to remove as much water as possible. A significant amount of water was pumped from the vessel, but after several hours the crew were unable to locate an obvious source of the leak and could do no more with the equipment available. It is believed the vessel may have a small leak allowing water to enter gradually over time.

The vessel’s position and condition were passed to HM Coastguard, with the crew recommending that recovery by an all-weather lifeboat or, preferably, a professional salvage company should be considered.

Aberdyfi RNLI volunteer crew member Oli Simmons said ‘It was saddening to see a boat like that being left out there, but we’ve shown our colours in the care and effort we’ve put into giving it the best possible chance to sail again. I’m proud to be part of Aberdyfi Lifeboat today.’

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Gemma Nock, 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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