Porthdinllaen RNLI launch to reports of yacht in difficulty near Porth Colmon

The volunteer crew at Porthdinllaen were already on station, having been on exercise, and were carrying out the post exercise duties of washing down and refuelling when their pagers sounded.

The station’s relief Tamar class lifeboat relaunched down the slipway at 7.50pm with Second Coxswain Robert Jones and made best speed towards the location of the casualty, who was on passage from Porthmadog to Cemaes Bay. With daylight fading, they had decided to try and reach the safe haven of Porthdinllaen Harbour.

Arriving on scene at 8.10pm, the situation was carefully assessed by Coxswain Jones and it was realised that the yacht was aground off Traeth Penllech. With waves breaking over the yacht, a swift and safe removal of the single occupant was needed.

Coastguard Rescue Teams from nearby Aberdaron and Porthdinllaen arrived on scene, who provided further details that the yacht had it’s anchor deployed and the condition of the occupant. The lifeboat’s rescue tender was deployed with two casualty care trained crew members onboard, who skilfully manoeuvred alongside the yacht in the challenging conditions.

The casualty was safely brought onboard and delivered back to the lifeboat. It was then decided that the best and safest option was to return. On route back to Porthdinllaen, the sailor’s condition was constantly being monitored by the crew. The lifeboat was recovered back into the boathouse and the crew carried out further observations, before the casualty was transferred to the care of the Coastguard Rescue Team. The lifeboat was refuelled and ready for service by 10.40pm.

Coxswain Jones said:

‘The yacht was fast aground off Traeth Penllech when we arrived at the scene and with breaking waves and shallow water, there was no means of recovering the yacht safely.

‘Our experienced and highly trained crew were able to carry out a textbook retrieval of the casualty from the yacht and to the safety of the lifeboat.

‘As always, we advise that anyone who ventures to sea, has made somebody ashore aware of their intentions and when they can be expected to return. Our thanks as well to our colleagues at Porthdinllaen and Aberdaron Coastguard Rescue Teams who provided support to us tonight.’

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