Abersoch RNLI assist yacht with engine and electrical failure.

The Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat was launched at 12.26pm and headed towards Llanbedrog headland. The casualty vessel, with one adult male on board, was located and one of the lifeboat crew was transferred to the vessel to asses the situation. Due to the electrical failure the casualty had used his mobile phone to contact HM Coastguard.

With no engine or electrics, including VHF and GPS, the crew made the decision to tow the vessel to a safe location. After establishing a safe tow the casualty vessel was taken to a berth at Pwllheli marina.

A second call came in and the crew were retasked to assist a 20ft powerboat that had suffered engine failure with two casualties on board at Pwllheli harbour entrance. A safe tow was established and the vessel was towed to the marina slipway.

The lifeboat returned to the station at 3.17pm where it was washed down, refuelled and left ready for service.

Abersoch RNLI volunteer helm, Andy Gunby, said ‘Always ensure that you have a means of calling for help, ideally a VHF radio as mobile phone signal can not always be achieved, this is especially important during the quieter months of the year when there are less people on the water to provide assistance.’ He added, ‘Lifejackets are essential’.

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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Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.