Porthdinllaen RNLI Tasked to Assist Injured Sailor

Launching into a southerly Force 5 to 6 wind and rolling seas, the lifeboat made best possible speed towards the casualty. While en route, radio contact was established with the yacht's crew, a 30-foot ketch with two people on board.

It was ascertained that one of the sailors had sustained a head injury after being struck by the yacht's boom while working on deck.

Upon arrival at the scene, the lifeboat manoeuvred as close as possible to the casualty vessel. However, due to the sea conditions and significant rolling, it was deemed too dangerous to transfer the injured casualty onto the lifeboat.

Coxswain Owain Williams determined that the safest course of action was to tow the yacht to the sheltered waters of Porthdinllaen Harbour. Throughout the passage, radio contact was maintained between the lifeboat crew and HM Coastguard at Holyhead, allowing the casualty's condition to be closely monitored.

On arrival in Porthdinllaen, the yacht was secured to a safe mooring and the injured sailor, along with his sailing companion, was transferred safely ashore. The casualty was then handed into the care of an awaiting ambulance crew and taken to Ysbyty Gwynedd for further assessment.

Owain Williams, Coxswain at Porthdinllaen Lifeboat Station, added 'Thank you, as always, to our colleagues at HM Coastguard in Holyhead, who provided our casualty care-trained crew with up-to-date medical advice throughout the incident. We were pleased to be able to assist and wish the casualty a speedy recovery.'

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Dylan Thomas, 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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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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