Beaumaris lifeboat tasked to a vessel with a broken rudder in the Menai Strait

In addition to the lifeboat the Penmon Mobile Coastguard Team had also been tasked and monitored the vessel pending the arrival of the lifeboat.

Once on scene the lifeboat crew ensured that all was well with the sole crew member aboard the craft and an assessment was made by the helm in consultation with the Coastguard as to the best course of action to be taken.

It was decided that with no rudder and being unable to steer, for safety reasons a lifeboat crew member was placed aboard the vessel and the boat was towed to the nearest place of safety. This was a mooring at Gallows Point, Beaumaris courtesy of ABC Marine.

Once this had been achieved the lifeboat was instructed by the Coastguard to return to her station, arriving at 12.56 pm to be refuelled and cleaned and made ready for her next service call.

A RNLI spokesperson said: ‘Thankfully the sole yachtsman aboard the boat was well prepared and was able to use his VHF radio to contact the Coastguard and call for help when they got into difficulty. Our volunteer lifeboat crew acted quickly and efficiently and were able to come to their aid before the situation could have potentially worsened.

‘Even on the shortest trips you can get caught out, so it pays to be prepared, including carrying the right boat safety kit. Whether you're fishing, powering or sailing out to sea, make sure you are wearing a lifejacket or buoyancy aid and always carry a means of calling for help. Have an appropriate anchor that holds, make sure you can identify your location and are using a kill cord where appropriate for your craft.

If you do get into difficulty or spot anyone else in trouble, use your radio or call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.