Stranded jetskiers lead to late night call for Holyhead RNLI

HM Coastguard requested the launch of the RNLI volunteer crew just after 10pm, and just ten minutes later, the D-class lifeboat Mary and Archie Hooper was being launched with four crew on board.

The lifeboat headed immediately out through the harbour towards the initial reported location. En route, the HM Coastguard made contact with the two casualties by mobile phone, so it was established they were still together and possibly up towards the Porth Swtan / Church Bay area.

The lifeboat made steady progress in the direction of the casualties, and used two white paraflares to help with illumination of the area, and to try and show the casualties where the lifeboat was. This was unsuccessful, but shortly after, HM Coastguard managed to plot the exact location of the two jetskis.

Using the navigation point given by HM Coastguard, the lifeboat crew were able to head to the location and reach the jetskiers. They found, although both men were safe and well, one was beginning to suffer with the cold, and both were extremely relieved to see the lifeboat arriving.

One craft had suffered battery failure, and the second casualty had already begun a tow of his companion. However, this was showing to be ineffective and it was difficult to monitor the situation in the dark conditions. The lifeboat crew passed over torches that they carry, so that the jetskiers could see each other clearly; and the ILB stayed with them and monitored the situation until they all reached Llanfwrog/Sandy Beach, where the jetskiers had left earlier that evening. Due to the conditions and tides, the lifeboat crew then needed to perform an alongside tow to recover the broken down jetski safely to shore.

The two men’s general welfare was checked and advice was given regarding carrying suitable equipment in future – particularly distress flares and radios.

The lifeboat and crew then headed back to the lifeboat, arriving back just before midnight, where she was washed and made ready for any further calls.

Senior Helm at Holyhead RNLI Dave Roberts said:

‘The two men were wearing suitable buoyancy aids, and had mobile phones – but these don’t always have a good signal out at sea, and batteries can drain quickly.’

He added,

‘They did the correct thing in staying together, and luckily one of the mobile phones had enough charge and signal for HM Coastguard to be able to track their exact location, but a VHF radio would have made a big difference in this instance, as would using distress flares’

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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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