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RNLI Moelfre Volunteers Rescue Teenagers Being Blown Offshore.

Lifeboats News Release

Just before 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29, Moelfre Inshore Lifeboat (ILB)_ was launched after reports came in of two teenage children being blown offshore on a paddleboard in the middle of Red Wharf Bay.

RNLI/Phil Williams

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It was also reported that a parent was trying to wade out to help, and that the children had no buoyancy aids and were not confident or strong swimmers.

During the launch of the ILB, an off-duty crew member in their own boat heard the coastguard’s “any vessel” call for assistance in the area and headed over to help.

While the ILB was en route, crew at the boathouse spotted the pair about 500 meters offshore in the middle of Traeth Coch (Red Wharf Bay) using the station’s high-powered binoculars, and guided the lifeboat to them.
The off-duty crew member reached them first, updated the coastguard, and when the ILB arrived shortly after, the lifeboat crew brought them aboard, checked for medical issues, and provided thermal protection and lifejackets.
Back on shore, the teenagers were reunited with their relieved families, who had called for help after witnessing the incident.

The lifeboat crew and local coastguard teams from Moelfre and Cemaes offered firm safety advice.

Lifeboat coxswain Vince Jones said,

The children were extremely lucky, as the weather was unsuitable for paddleboarding and they were nearly half a mile out when help arrived. Staying with their board rather than trying to swim back was their saving grace, as they had no lifejackets and weren’t strong swimmers. He urged inexperienced paddleboarders or weak swimmers to avoid open water without proper training, advice, and safety gear.

Our station volunteers also launched the ILB twice on Saturday in response to shouts involving a kayak and a paddleboard.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Phil Williams, 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]

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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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.

About the author

Phil Williams
Lifeboat Press Officer, Moelfre Lifeboat Station

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