Cruise ship spotted mystery 50ft 'UFO' off Anglesey in 'definite first' for rescue teams
When the initial report was received, Moelfre's RNLI lifeboat was put on standby, ready for immediate launch. Meanwhile, the cruise ship was asked by HM Coastguard Holyhead to U-turn and investigate the sighting some 30 miles off the north Anglesey coast.
A Coastguard helicopter on a training exercise from Caernarfon was also sent to the scene. Between them they found not a boat but the remains of a 15 metre-long (50ft) whale.
Ultimately, the Moelfre all-weather lifeboat was not needed but its coxwain Vince Jones said: 'It's a main shipping lane and we regularly get call-outs there to reports of unidentified floating objects.
'Usually they turn out to be floating jetsam – fishing gear and debris from derelict vessels.
"A decomposing whale carcase was definitely a first for us! Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
'As the carcase was so far off shore, it wouldn't have posed an immediate danger to smaller vessels. So its position was noted and nature was left to take its course.'
Weekend RNLI fundraisers
This weekend, RNLI Moelfre is supporting two fundraising events. The first, on Saturday, August 9, will see its inshore lifeboat launched at 10.30am ahead of the St David's Boat Club's annual sponsored swim.
This involves participants swimming three miles from St David's beach, a stretch of sand reached from the eastern end of Benllech beach. Although it's located just around the headland from Red Wharf Bay, the beach can only be accessed on foot via the coast path from Benllech as there is no parking nearby.
This year marks the club's fifth fundraiser for Moelfre Lifeboat Station – so far it's collected £17,000. A JustGiving page can be found here.
Once the swimmers are back on shore, Moelfre RNLI crew members will then move to Traeth Lligwy to advise beachgoers about water and beach safety.
On Sunday, August 10, Moelfre's volunteers will launch their all-weather lifeboat at 10am to support RNLI fundraisers at the Cemaes Lifeboat Day. Holyhead's all-weather lifeboat will also be present.
On the day, the pier at Cemaes will host live music, crafts, and produce stalls. Sea safety demonstrations will also take place on and off the water, while visitors can go aboard the lifeboats. Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter - sent every Friday
A spokesperson warned: 'Our lifeboats will be on service before, during, and after the events. If the pagers go off, then our station volunteers will prioritise the shout, so our participation at the events may be cancelled with little or no notice.'
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