Aberdovey’s first shout came at 1:44pm to a motorboat with engine problems just west of the Aberdovey outer buoy. The volunteer crew found five people on board, including children, all safe and well. The helm put a crew member on board the vessel and established a tow to bring the boat back safely to a mooring in Aberdovey Harbour.
The pagers went off for the second time that day at 5:40pm with some crew having not even left the station after the wash down from the first shout. Holyhead Coastguard requested Aberdovey to attend to a broken-down powerboat with four people on board just southeast of the Lifeboat Station. After checking that all boat passengers were safe, the RNLI crew then towed the powerboat back to the boat yard in the Leri before returning to station.
The final shout of the day was to reports an inflatable off Tywyn following a 999 call from a concerned member of the public and the crew were paged at 7:20pm. Aberdovey’s inshore lifeboat Hugh Miles arrived on the scene to find two people fishing quite happily from their kayak. Both were safe and it was concluded the call-out was a false alarm but with good intent.
Alice Beetlestone, Aberdovey Helm said, “Fortunately, on all three occasions, everyone was found fit and well. It was great to see that all persons afloat in all three shouts were wearing appropriate lifejackets or buoyancy aids and all vessels were carrying a means of calling for help. The two vessels asking for assistance were also able to give accurate position which enabled the crews to quickly locate the vessels with ease.”
The stations volunteer Community Safety Officer, Josh Cooper, went on to say “It is always a relief when no one is in imminent danger. In all three cases everyone had done the right thing. On breaking down the two vessels had anchored and informed the Coastguard of their predicament.” He followed on to comment on the 999-call made for the third shout, “It’s always better to err on the side of caution with these things as things can, and do, go wrong quickly at sea.”
If you ever find yourself or anyone else in trouble on the coast, make sure you call 999 and ask for the coastguard. The RNLI provides a 24/7 search and rescue service, which means no matter what time it is, our volunteer crew will respond to emergencies.
The RNLI advises people to always carry a means of calling for help when they are out at sea, and to tell someone their plans before they set off. Before heading out to sea, check the weather forecast and tide times, to make sure that you don’t get yourself in any trouble.
Notes to Editors
• The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea.
• We have 238 lifeboat stations around the UK and Ireland.
• Aberdyfi Lifeboat Station opened in 1837.
• Aberdyfi volunteer crew operate a B class Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat called Hugh Miles.
RNLI Media Contacts
Katie Lewis, Media Engagement Placement Wales and West at [email protected] or alternatively Danielle Rush on 07786668829 or at [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity 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 142,700 lives.
