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North Wales Chronicle
27-06-2025
- General
- North Wales Chronicle
Sailor pulled from water after yacht sinks near The Skerries
Both of Holyhead RNLI station's lifeboats were paged just after 4pm on Tuesday, June 24, following reports of a man in the water after his vessel hit the Platters - a set of rocks near The Skerries - and began taking on water. Volunteer crews aboard the all-weather lifeboat Frederick Storey Cockburn and the D-class inshore lifeboat Mary and Archie Hooper launched immediately and headed to the scene. The HM Coastguard rescue helicopter was also tasked and reached the area within minutes. A statement from RNLI Holyhead Lifeboat Station said: "Holyhead RNLI were involved in a dramatic Mayday rescue on Tuesday, when a lone sailor's yacht struck rocks off the Anglesey coast. "The volunteer crews of the all-weather lifeboat Frederick Storey Cockburn, and the D-class inshore lifeboat Mary and Archie Hooper launched and headed immediately to the scene. The HM Coastguard rescue helicopter had also been tasked, and reached the location within minutes. "Local vessels, including two inbound ferries, who also heard the Mayday, diverted their course and stayed in the area of the vessel's last position to assist if needed. HM Coastguard had lost all contact with the vessel and it was believed the sailor had entered the water. "The lifeboats were on scene just after 4.30pm, and the helicopter had also arrived to assist with the search. "As they began searching, the volunteers spotted a red bag floating in the sea, possibly from the casualty vessel. With the HM Coastguard co-ordinating, both lifeboats and the helicopter began an immediate search of that area, believing the casualty to be nearby." MORE NEWS Sewage affecting water at two beaches in North Wales Two people injured after rollercoaster cart 'comes off tracks' at Towyn funfair The statement added: "The crew of the HM Coastguard helicopter then spotted the man in the water, approximately 200 yards away from the ILB crew, who headed immediately to the location. On getting view of the casualty in the water in his lifejacket and holding his radio high with one arm, the crew were able to quickly reach him and pull him out of the water onto the lifeboat. "The casualty was immediately assessed, and as a result of being in the water for over 30 minutes, he was severely hypothermic and had swallowed a lot of sea water. "Due to the rough sea conditions, it was decided that the best course of action would be to transfer him onto the all-weather lifeboat and then for the man to be winched up to the HM helicopter. "After performing a slow but steady transfer of the casualty across to the all-weather lifeboat, the inshore crew were then tasked with recovering other equipment which had been spotted by the helicopter team. "Once the casualty was safely aboard the all-weather lifeboat, she was manoeuvred into a suitable position for the helicopter winch paramedic to be lowered onto the aft deck, which was carried out very quickly, and, soon after, the casualty was winched up to the helicopter and transferred immediately to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor." Gareth Owens, who was a crewman on the all-weather lifeboat during the rescue, said: "In over 30 years of volunteering, I've never been more sure that we saved that man's life. "A brilliant effort by everyone involved." Holyhead RNLI coxswain Mark Wade said: "The man was an experienced sailor and thankfully was able to issue a Mayday in time. The sea conditions meant he had been carried away from the initial location. "Sadly, his vessel was lost, but the fact that he had a radio with him and was wearing a lifejacket undoubtedly helped save his life. "The fantastic team effort with between ourselves, the HM Coastguard helicopter team and those in the control room, as well as the great support from nearby vessels including the two ferries, meant this emergency call ended so much better than it could have. "We wish him a full and speedy recovery."
North Wales Live
27-06-2025
- North Wales Live
Desperate search for sailor after yacht hit rocks and sank off North Wales
A major rescue operation was launched off the Anglesey coast for a sailor whose yacht had struck rocks before sinking. A coastguard helicopter, lifeboat crews and local ferries were called to assist after the boat began to sink after striking the Platters, a set of rocks near The Skerries. The lone sailor had issued a mayday call before contact with the vessel was lost. As well as RNLI vessels and the coastguard helicopter answering the call for help, local vessels and two ferries heard the distress call and diverted course, in a bid to find and help the stricken sailor. He was eventually found in the water, and was severely "severely hyperthermic" having been in the Irish Sea for more than 30 minutes. One of the rescuers said he had "never been more sure that we saved that man's life" in his more than three decades of service. An RNLI Holyhead Lifeboat Station statement said: " Holyhead RNLI were involved in a dramatic Mayday rescue on Tuesday, when a lone sailor's yacht struck rocks off the Anglesey coast. "Both the station's lifeboats were paged just after 4pm on Tuesday afternoon (24 June) after reports of a man in the water after his vessel struck the Platters, a set of rocks near The Skerries, and began to sink. "The volunteer crews of the all-weather lifeboat Frederick Storey Cockburn, and the D-class inshore lifeboat Mary and Archie Hooper launched and headed immediately to the scene. The HM Coastguard rescue helicopter had also been tasked, and reached the location within minutes. "Local vessels, including two inbound ferries, who also heard the Mayday, diverted their course and stayed in the area of the vessel's last position, to assist if needed. HM Coastguard had lost all contact with the vessel, and it was believed the sailor had entered the water. The lifeboats were on scene just after 4.30pm, and the helicopter had also arrived to assist with the search." As rescuers searched, a red bag floating in the sea was spotted, possibly from the casualty vessel. With the HM Coastguard co-ordinating, lifeboats and the helicopter began an immediate search of that area, believing the casualty to be nearby. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox The statement added: "The crew of the HM Coastguard helicopter then spotted the man in the water, approximately 200 yards away from the ILB crew, who headed immediately to the location. On getting view of the casualty in the water in his lifejacket and holding his radio high with one arm, the crew were able to quickly reach him and pull him out of the water onto the lifeboat. "The casualty was immediately assessed, and as a result of being in the water for over 30 minutes, he was severely hyperthermic, and had swallowed a lot of sea water. Due to the rough sea conditions, it was decided that the best course of action would be to transfer him onto the all-weather lifeboat and then for the man to be winched up to the HM helicopter. "After performing a slow but steady transfer of the casualty across to the all-weather lifeboat, the inshore crew were then tasked with recovering other equipment which had been spotted by the helicopter team. "Once the casualty was safely aboard the all-weather lifeboat, she was manoeuvred into a suitable position for the helicopter winch paramedic to be lowered onto the aft deck, which was carried out very quickly, and, soon after, the casualty was winched up to the helicopter and transferred immediately to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor. "Both RNLI lifeboats then left the scene and headed back to their respective berths by 7.30pm, where they were washed and refuelled for any further calls." Gareth Owens, who was a crewman on the all-weather lifeboat during the rescue said: "In over 30 years of volunteering, I've never been more sure that we saved that man's life. A brilliant effort by everyone involved." Holyhead RNLI coxswain Mark Wade said: "The man was an experienced sailor and thankfully was able to issue a Mayday in time. The sea conditions meant he had been carried away from the initial location. Sadly, his vessel was lost, but the fact that he had a radio with him and was wearing a lifejacket undoubtedly helped save his life." He added: "The fantastic team effort with between ourselves, the HM Coastguard helicopter team and those in the control room, as well as the great support from nearby vessels including the two ferries, meant this emergency call ended so much better than it could have. We wish him a full and speedy recovery."
North Wales Chronicle
16-06-2025
- General
- North Wales Chronicle
Holyhead RNLI rescues sailor after 'pan-pan' distress call
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." MORE NEWS: Incredible photos as imposing 55-metre-long ship with six decks docks in Caernarfon 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."
North Wales Live
15-06-2025
- General
- North Wales Live
'Pan-pan' alert from stricken sailor sees Anglesey lifeboat crew immediately dispatched
A stricken sailor issued a "pan-pan" alert after getting into trouble off the Anglesey coast. These alerts are issued when ships are in urgent need of assistance but not immediate life-threatening danger. There were though fears a person had gone overboard and was in the water. HM Coastguard requested the immediate attendance of Holyhead lifeboat to that casualty, who was situated south-west of the Skerries. The RNLI crew were already on the water when the divert call came in on Friday. They had earlier had an emergency call out to assist a group of kayakers at 11.43am. A member of the public had called 999, thinking the five kayakers looked to be in trouble. Just after the all-weather lifeboat Frederick Storey Cockburn launched from her berth at Holyhead Port, HM Coastguard reported that the kayakers were all well and were simply sheltering from the winds, and there was no need for the lifeboat to attend. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox But the second alert then came in. Holyhead RNLI said: "Another 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 2 to 3-metre seas meant the yacht and sailor were in a vulnerable position. "It was quickly decided that the best course of action would be tow the yacht to safety to Holyhead harbour. Once the casualty vessel had been towed into the calmer harbour waters, the ILB 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.
Wales Online
16-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Climbers stuck on cliffs near South Stack sparks multi-agency rescue
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Two climbers got stuck on cliffs near South Stack on Anglesey, sparking a multi-agency rescue. Cliff rescue teams and lifeboat crews were scrambled to the incident near Elin's Tower, after a man and woman became stuck. A RNLI Holyhead Lifeboat Station statement issued yesterday (Thursday) said: "Our lifeboat crew were called out on Wednesday, 14 May after two climbers got into difficulty on cliffs near South Stack. "Pagers sounded just after 3pm, requesting the launch of the all-weather lifeboat Frederick Storey Cockburn, and RNLI volunteers rushed quickly to the port where she is berthed, launching within minutes. The climbers, one male and one female, had become cragfast – unable to move up or down the cliffs - near Elin's Tower. "Local cliff rescue teams were already at the scene, and lifeboats were needed to support them in their endeavours to bring both casualties to safety. The D-class lifeboat at our flank station Trearddur Bay Lifeboat Station, Clive and Imelda Rawlins 2, was also paged, and in order to further support the rescue, our ILB, Mary and Archie Hooper, was also launched. "It had been decided that one casualty, who was nearer the top of the cliff would be winched up to the top by the cliff rescue volunteers, while the second casualty, who was in a lower position on the cliff face, was to be lowered to a ledge near sea level and then transferred back to shore by lifeboat. The lifeboat crews were able to assist in identifying where to place the ropes, further enabling a faster rescue. (Image: Holyhead RNLI) "Once the casualty was lowered down, she was first placed onto Trearddur Bay's D-class, before being safely transferred to our ALB. Meanwhile, the first casualty had been winched safely to the top of the cliffs." Lifeboats then headed to Trearddur Bay, where both casualties were reunited, safe and well. Coxswain Mark Wade said: "This was a great multi-agency rescue, alongside our flank station and the cliff rescue teams from Holyhead and Moelfre, with a good outcome for the casualties. Both climbers were well equipped and experienced, showing these incidents can happen to anyone." He added: "Thankfully they knew to call for help, and dialled 999 and asked for assistance." Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Find out what's happening near you
