Holyhead RNLI rescues sailor after 'pan-pan' distress call

North Wales Chronicle

16-06-2025

Holyhead RNLI were called out to assist a group of five kayakers, believed to be in trouble, where their received the call on Friday, June 13.
The emergency call out to the kayakers turned out to be a false alarm [the kayakers were well and were sheltering from the winds] and instead, the all-weather lifeboat Frederick Storey Cockburn was diverted to the sailor, located south-west of the Skerries islet.
A spokesperson for Holyhead RNLI said: "The sailor had issued a 'pan-pan' signal, indicating he was in need of urgent assistance. HM Coastguard requested the lifeboat's immediate attendance to that casualty, who was situated south-west of the Skerries islet. The casualty had reported a problem with his mast, which meant he was unable to make any headway in the strong winds.
"It was also initially thought there may be a person in the water.
"The lifeboat reached the scene quickly, and found that there was no one in the water.
"The yacht had lost a sail from the port side, which had then been blown under the vessel and caught in the rudder. The sailor, who had issued the pan-pan, was also suffering from fatigue. The strong winds and two to three-meters seas meant the yacht and sailor were in a vulnerable position."
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Rescuers decided to tow the yacht to safety to Holyhead harbour.
The spokesperson added: "Once the casualty vessel had been towed into the calmer harbour waters, the inshore lifeboat arrived to assist, and a crew member from the smaller lifeboat was placed on board the yacht to assist, and help bring the yacht and its occupant to safety.
"The casualty vessel was then placed onto a Holyhead Sailing Club mooring. Both lifeboats then left the scene and returned to their respective berths, and were made ready for any further calls."
Holyhead coxswain Mark Wade said: "The initial call to the kayakers was a false alarm with good intent. We then diverted to help this sailor on his yacht, who was well prepared with the correct equipment and a means of calling for help.
"The weather meant he got into difficulty, but he called for help in good time, and we were glad to be able to assist."