Pagers sounded at 9.38pm, asking for the launch of the D-class lifeboat Mary and Archie Hooper. The female paddle boarder had become caught in a tidal race and then swept along into one of the nearby coves.
Knowing she could not get out due to the strength of the current, she immediately called for help. She reported to HM Coastguard that she was not in immediate danger, but unable to get out of the cove herself.
Despite the still sweltering temperatures, the volunteer ILB and shore crew gathered at the station and prepared to launch the lifeboat.
Once launched, the ILB reached the reported location within minutes, and found her on rocks, along with her paddle board. Checking on her welfare, she was found to be well, and extremely relieved to see the lifeboat crew.
The lifeboat was placed in a position with her bow in the rocks so the casualty could be brought aboard, along with her paddleboard. She was then brought back to the shore at Holyhead by approximately 10.30pm, and was given some suitable safety advice.
The lifeboat was then washed and prepared for any further calls and crew then returned home.
The casualty herself contacted the station the following morning to say a huge thank you to the crew.
Describing her ordeal, she said:
‘I was captured by the strong current on my SUP board. I managed to stay calm and float with it until I got to shore. At this point I was happy to be alive. Then I called 999 and asked for the Coastguard. They said you’d be coming, and the rescue was there in no time.'
She added:
'I was very lucky that I had phone reception and could ring for help, as it was getting dark and my position was hopeless. Thanks again for rescuing me.’
The casualty has since asked the crew for recommendations for a good flotation device. It's always recommended that anyone who goes out on the water (even on a lovely, seemingly calm day) wear a suitable buoyancy aid or lifejacket, and have a means of calling for help.
Holyhead RNLI LOM (Lifeboat Operations Manager) Dave Owens said:
'Once again, the crew headed out, despite the extreme heat, to rescue someone they had never met, so a huge thank you to them all. I'd also like to praise the casualty for knowing exactly what to do once she realised she was in trouble, which enable us to get to her before darkness fell, and sea conditions deteriorated.'
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Vicki Owens, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Holyhead, 07531 681409 or [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]
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.
