Rhyl RNLI tasked to yacht in distress 6 miles north of Rhyl
On Wednesday 13 August, volunteer crews from Rhyl RNLI were tasked to launch the charity’s lifeboat to a yacht with engine failure drifting towards a windfarm.
The volunteers were paged by HM Coastguard just before 10pm on Wednesday night. With reports of a yacht with engine failure also unable to sail due to the calm weather conditions. Launching at around 10.15pm, the lifeboat arrived at the casualty vessel’s previous location to find the yacht had drifted 3 miles to the east, closer to the windfarm and shipping lanes.
Due to the vessel’s inability to commence under its own engine or sail power and with how far they had already drifted, the Coxswain of Rhyl’s lifeboat made the decision - in consultation with the vessel's owner and the Coastguard, that the safest course of action was to take the yacht under tow to the nearest place of safety. Liverpool was chosen as the nearest safe destination, as the flooding tide helped with towing and the yacht having the wrong keel configuration to go into Rhyl Harbour.
Navigating the casualty vessel through the east end of Gwynt Y Mor Windfarm, Rhyl’s volunteer crew met with Hoylake’s all-weather lifeboat at 01.10am transferring the tow of the casualty vessel. Hoylake RNLI had themselved launched at around 12.30am. The Hoylake crew then took the yacht to the safety of Liverpool Marina, arriving at 03.45am and getting back to station around 04.45am.
Rhyl’s volunteer crew proceeded back to Rhyl Lifeboat Station, but due to tidal conditions they were unable to be recovered until 04.20am, having the boat serviced and ready by 5am.
Andy Wilde, Coswain of Rhyl’s lifeboat said:
‘This was a great demonstration of teamwork between both RNLI crews and HM Coastguard, thankfully the casualty vessel was well prepared and were able to call for assistance. Please ensure anyone going out to sea has the correct equipment, especially a VHF radio and lifejackets.’
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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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