Vessel sinks in Menai Strait despite rescue effort

North Wales Chronicle

14-07-2025

Beaumaris Lifeboat received a launch page from HM Coastguard relating to the 17-foot speedboat on Sunday, July 13 at 1.15pm.
The Beaumaris Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Annette Mary Liddington with her volunteer crew launched and in calm weather conditions, proceeded to the location.
Upon arrival, it became evident that the casualty vessel had already partially sunk, with only the bow been viable above the water.
A spokesperson from Beaumaris Lifeboat said: "The four crew aboard had been rescued by passing craft and taken ashore.
"The lifeboat proceeded to the shoreline and two crew members went ashore to assess the condition of the survivors and provide casualty care if required. The Bangor Mobile Coastguard Team soon arrived and took over the monitoring of the casualties.
"This enabled the lifeboat to proceed towards the partially sunken craft to see if anything could be done to move it from the navigable channel as it was creating a navigational hazard. However, as the lifeboat crew prepared to establish a long tow, the craft suddenly disappeared below the waves, sinking in about nine meters of water just inside the channel."
The exact position of the sunken wreck has been passed on to HM Coastguard
The lifeboat collected some floating debris that had been taken aboard another vessel and took this to the Mobile Coastguard team.
A RNLI spokesman added: "The swift reporting of the problem by passing craft to the coastguard meant our volunteer lifeboat crew were able to reach the vessel quickly, assess the situation and take the best course of action."