Holyhead RNLI Attend Climbers SOS Call

A local lobster fisherman spotted an SOS signal being sent out by the climbers just after 9.30pm, and contacted HM Coastguard.

Both lifeboats, D-class inshore lifeboat Mary and Archie Hooper and the all-weather Severn class lifeboat Christopher Pearce launched within minutes. Holyhead’s volunteer cliff rescue team were also alerted, and headed immediately to the location, in the area known as Parliament Cave. They were soon joined by members of Moelfre cliff rescue team.

The fisherman who made the emergency call stayed nearby to monitor the climbers until both emergency services arrived at the scene. They found two climbers cragfast on the cliff face – unable to ascend or descend without getting into danger.

With the lifeboats providing lighting to aid the rescue, and ready to provide any further assistance, the cliff rescue team, at the top of the cliffs, began setting up equipment necessary to extract the casualties from the rocks. Regular welfare checks were made on the climbers during the rescue process. One at a time, both casualties were slowly and carefully winched to safety, with both at the top on safe ground by 12.20am.

The climbers were then left in the safe hands of the cliff rescue volunteers, and both lifeboats made their way back to their respective berths, where they were made ready for any further calls.

Speaking about the rescue, Holyhead coxswain Tony Price said:

‘This was a brilliant and professional job by our friends on the volunteer cliff rescue teams. We were honoured to support them by providing lighting and back-up. The climbers were very lucky that the local fisherman spotted their SOS signal, and immediately alerted HM Coastguard. He then stayed with them until the cliff rescue team and ourselves arrived - excellent actions on his part. We’re very happy this call ended well and both climbers were unhurt.’

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.

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