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Wales Online
09-08-2025
- General
- Wales Online
50-foot whale found off Welsh coast as coastguard helicopter deployed
50-foot whale found off Welsh coast as coastguard helicopter deployed A coastguard helicopter, a lifeboat and a cruise ship were all diverted after a mystery object was spotted floating in the sea - and what was found was a 'definite first' for teams Coastal view near Cemaes Bay, Anglesey (Image: Google) A Coastguard helicopter was diverted when a cruise ship spotted what appeared to be an overturned boat in deep waters north of Anglesey. Upon closer examination, the 'Unidentified Floating Object' was identified as the carcass of a massive whale. Upon receiving the initial report, Moelfre's RNLI lifeboat was put on standby, ready for immediate launch. The cruise ship was requested by HM Coastguard Holyhead to make a U-turn and investigate the sighting some 30 miles off the north Anglesey coast. A Coastguard helicopter from Caernarfon, which was on a training exercise, was also dispatched to the location. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here Between them they discovered not a boat, but the remains of a 15 metre-long (50ft) whale. In the end, the Moelfre all-weather lifeboat wasn't required, but its coxswain Vince Jones stated: "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", reports North Wales Live. "A decomposing whale carcass was definitely a first for us! "As the carcass 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." Article continues below Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice
Wales Online
09-08-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Cruise ship spotted mystery 50ft 'UFO' off Anglesey in 'definite first' for rescue teams
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 A Coastguard helicopter was diverted when a cruise ship spotted what was thought to be an upturned boat in deep water north of Anglesey. On closer inspection, the 'Unidentified Floating Object' turned out to be the carcase of a huge whale. 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.' Find family activities near you
North Wales Live
09-08-2025
- General
- North Wales Live
Cruise ship spotted mystery 50ft 'UFO' off Anglesey in 'definite first' for rescue teams
A Coastguard helicopter was diverted when a cruise ship spotted what was thought to be an upturned boat in deep water north of Anglesey. On closer inspection, the 'Unidentified Floating Object' turned out to be the carcase of a huge whale. 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.'
Wales Online
07-08-2025
- General
- Wales Online
'You can't cure stupid' as Anglesey beach dressing down for pair who ignored safety advice
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 "You can't sure stupid" was one person's reaction after a pair received a dressing down on an Anglesey beach. Moelfre Lifeboat said a team member offered advice to people entering the water at Benllech on a paddleboard and a kayak in unfavourable conditions. They said the pair "dismissed" the advice on Tuesday despite wind speeds of up to 30 knots at the beach. They had no safety equipment, such as life jackets or buoyancy aids, or means of calling for help. It wasn't long before they regretted their decision as both came off their small craft in the water around 200 metres off the beach. Onlookers - including the RNLI member - saw they were in trouble and raised the alert and this saw the immediate launch of Moelfre's inshore lifeboat at around 11am. A "Good Samaritan" on the beach also went to their aid. Moelfre RNLI said: "The initial 999 call was made to the Coastguard via Moelfre Lifeboat Operations Manager, who was walking his dog on the beach and witnessed the two people get into difficulties when they came off their paddleboard and Kayak. Further 999 calls were received by the CG from other concerned onlookers. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now "With a Casualty-Care training course running on station, the crew were able to launch the ILB and be on the water within 5 minutes of the tasking. The weather was a fresh off-shore westerly wind at 25-30knts. While en route, it was reported that a third person had entered the water (a Good Samaritan on the beach) who waded out to assist, putting themselves at risk in the process. "As the inshore lifeboat arrived on scene, the crew spotted all three people leaving the water and heading up the beach. They were followed and spoke to by our ILB crew, who gave strong words of safety advice. "None of them were wearing any form of safety equipment, such as life jackets or buoyancy aids, or had means of calling for help. The Good Samaritan was lucky in this instance, as the people in difficulty weren't too far out and they were able to assist without putting themselves in too much danger." Full-time Coxswain and Helm for this rescue, Vince Jones said: 'Our operations manager tried to advise the water users of the unfavourable conditions before even entering the water, but he was dismissed by the two people. They will have quickly realised how important his words of advice could have been. "They were fortunate the bystander went to their aid before they were blown too far offshore; however, we strongly advise against putting yourself in a position of danger to go to the aid of others. Call for help at the earliest opportunity, give directions or location advice to the coastguard and stay safe at all times. "The ILB scanned the beach for others at risk, gave some water safety advice, including the importance of wearing safety equipment and the need to be aware of weather conditions, and returned to the station for the crew to continue with their casualty care course." On social media people were fuming at the actions of the pair. One person on Facebook said: "Well done guys, people should listen to your advice as you know what you are talking about. To go out without buoyancy aids or means of communication is just madness. Hopefully a good lesson learnt. Thanks for being there to advise and rescue us." Another added: "Well done all. It must be so infuriating for you when people ignore your advice and then add insult to injury by needing to be rescued. You can't cure stupid! Thank you." Others mentioned that this was not a one-off, saying: "I've seen so many in the sea on paddleboards without life jackets on, some have young children on the board with them. It's absolutely crazy to be so unaware of the dangers." Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
Telegraph
18-04-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Watch: RNLI rescue dog stranded on cliff after chasing ball
A spaniel was rescued from a cliff edge yesterday by Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) crew members after chasing a ball to a dangerous spot above the sea. Ember, a light brown spaniel, became stranded in Moelfre, Wales after following a ball over a rocky outcrop to a spot from which she couldn't escape. The dog's owner rushed into the lifeboat station nearby and asked for help, and two RNLI crew kitted in drysuits and life jackets came to the rescue. Members of the public reported hearing the dog barking, but couldn't see the stranded pup due to the inaccessible location. Crew members found Ember by swimming to the cliff, before climbing up the rock face and onto the ledge toward the trapped dog, who was barking in distress. After coaxing the dog toward them, the crew eventually were able to put her on a lead and swim through the sea with her to safety before she was reunited with her owner. Vince Jones, the Moelfre RNLI coxswain, said: 'As we entered the water near the cliff, we could hear the dog yapping away. 'Where the spaniel was trapped, it would have been inaccessible from the cliff top, so, kitted in our drysuits and life jackets, we entered the water and made our way onto the ledge. 'After a few moments of talking to Ember, she seemed to calm down and we were able to get a lead on. 'It was great to then reunite the spaniel with her owner. The owner did the right thing by coming to the lifeboat station and alerting us. Our advice is to never go in after your pet and to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Always keep them on lead when near the edge of cliffs or piers.' Lifeboat crews from Moelfre lifeboat station in Anglesey have been awarded 37 medals for gallantry, the highest accolade awarded by the institution and the equivalent of the Victoria Cross for bravery at sea. Two of the gold medals were awarded to Coxswain Richard Evans, a Welsh lifeboatman who saved 281 lives and is one of only five men to be awarded the RNLI gold medal twice. Mr Evans died in 2001, and in addition to his two RNLI gold medals, he was awarded the Thanks of the RNLI on Vellum, the RNLI bronze medal and the Queen's silver medal for gallantry at sea, and in 1969 he was awarded the British Empire medal.
