Joint call for Holyhead and Trearddur Bay RNLI stations

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 flank station Trearddur Bay, Clive and Imelda Rawlins 2, was also paged, and in order to further support the rescue, Holynead's 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.

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.

Holyhead's lifeboats then headed back to their berths, where they were both washed and refuelled ready for any further calls by 7pm.

Holyhead 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.’

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The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.

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