Easter call-out for Abersoch RNLI to yacht in distress.
The volunteer crew were paged by HM Coastguard on Easter Sunday following a Mayday call from a sailing yacht in difficulty.
The pagers went off on Sunday evening at 4.51pm and the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat was launched at 5.01pm following a Mayday distress call to HM Coastguard from the skipper of a 10m bilge keeler sailing vessel.
They vessel had lost power on approach to Pwllheli Marina and with a rough sea state, a 1m swell and a falling tide the skipper was unable to make it out of the bay once the sails had been rehoisted and the vessel, with two people on board, started to pound on the hard seabed. Concerned for their safety and fearing they may lose the boat; the Mayday call was made.
On arrival at the scene the volunteer crew assessed the situation and the safety of the crew onboard the vessel. Abersoch RNLI volunteer Helm, Phill Woods, repositioned the anchor to ensure the vessel was safe until the next incoming tide when it would refloat. The skipper confirmed he was happy for them both to remain on board with regular hourly communication with HM Coastguard.
The lifeboat returned to the station at 6.41pm where it was thoroughly washed down, refuelled and left ready for service by the volunteer shore crew.
The skipper was later able to resolve the engine issue and once the vessel lifted on the flooding tide, he made the decision to head towards the Marina and arrived safely in a marina berth at approximately 10.30pm.
The skipper has personally thanked both Holyhead Coastguard and Abersoch RNLI and said, ‘I have to say a huge thank you to all involved in assisting us’, he added ‘Was everyone involved terrific? They most certainly were’.
If you get into difficulty or spot someone else in trouble dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
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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