Anglesey lifeboat crew rescues seven people stranded on broken-down boat

A lifeboat crew on Anglesey rescued seven people stranded on a broken-down boat yesterday evening.

Holyhead RNLI volunteers were called out at approximately 6.30pm on Sunday to help those on board the seven-metre rigid inflatable boat (RIB).

The stricken vessel was located east of West Mouse, off the Cemlyn coastline, on the north west of Anglesey.

The rib’s occupants were returning from lunch on the Menai Straits, when their engine cut out.

Their sradio had failed, and the craft was in danger of being carried by the ebbing tide towards the rocky area know as The Platters.

The launch of the all-weather lifeboat was requested, and the volunteer crew quickly boarded the Severn-class lifeboat Christopher Pearce and headed to the location.

On arriving at the scene, six people on board the rib were taken aboard the lifeboat, where they were treated for seasickness and effects of the cold.

The seventh person stayed on board the rib, and was joined by a lifeboat crewman, who helped prepare it to be towed away.

Both boats were soon heading to the safety of calmer waters, and began a tow back to the safety of Holyhead harbour.

Regular welfare checks were made with the person on the rib en route, and all were brought safely to the landing stage at Holyhead Marina at 8.30pm.

After checking all sailors were safe and well, the lifeboat was returned to its berth in the inner port, where it was made ready for any further calls.

Coxswain Tony Price said: “HM Coastguard acted quickly on receiving the distress phone call from the rib, otherwise we may have had a situation where the vessel could have come into contact with the east Platters.

“All those on board the rib had the correct equipment and were wearing lifejackets, and were unfortunate to have had a loss of engine on their journey.”