Holyhead RNLI in double shout

The all-weather lifeboat Ger Tigchelaar was paged just after 11am on Monday (August 24). HM Coastguard were co-ordinating a search for a man thought to have gone overboard from a ferry crossing from Dublin to Holyhead overnight.

Howth RNLI had also been launched, with the search location being midway between the UK and Ireland.

Holyhead’s Trent-class lifeboat headed to a location some 25-30 miles off the Anglesey coast, and began an extensive search of an area co-ordinated by HM Coastguard.

Several hours were spent searching, during which time RNLI lifeboats from Porthdinllaen and Dun Laoghaire were also launched to assist, as well as British and Irish aircraft, with nearby local vessels also being involved. With failing light, Holyhead’s lifeboat and the Howth lifeboat were stood down by HM Coastguard, with other vessels remaining in the area to carry on the search overnight. Holyhead’s ALB headed back to her berth at Holyhead port, arriving back just before 10pm, where she was refuelled, washed and prepared for any further calls.

Just a few hours later, at 4.37am, volunteer pagers sounded once again, this time asking for the launch of the D-class inshore lifeboat Mary and Archie Hooper.

HM Coastguard reported that a man on board a fishing vessel had suffered a fall in fish hold inside the craft, and had sustained a back injury. As a result of this, he was unable to be evacuated from the boat by helicopter, and the onboard crew had called for assistance.

The lifeboat volunteers were asked to head towards the end of Holyhead Breakwater to meet the vessel and assist where required.

Once they met up with the casualty vessel, the ILB escorted the fishing boat towards an allocated berth within Holyhead Port, where coastguard volunteers and North Wales Ambulance service were awaiting the casualty’s arrival.

Once the lifeboat and casualty vessel arrived at the berth, the man was assisted by lifeboat crew members up to the deck and off the vessel onto an awaiting ambulance.

The ILB then returned to the lifeboat station, to be washed and prepared for any further calls.

Holyhead RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM) David Owens said:

‘It was a fantastic effort by our volunteers over both shouts. This showed their dedication, resilience and willingness to help others. It is always humbling to see how much they will do to help someone in trouble.’

He added

‘As a station, we wish the fisherman well with his recovery.’

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Vicki Owens, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Holyhead, 07531 681409 [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]

Key facts about the RNLI

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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