An off duty lifeboat man contacted Holyhead Coastguard just after 4 p.m. yesterday, reporting a 35 foot yacht making slow progress in Bardsey Sound, off the Lleyn Peninsula, North Wales. He thought it might have been in need of assistance due to the severe weather conditions at the time: Force Ten southwesterlies.
Holyhead Coastguard made several attempts to contact the vessel and then received a Mayday from the yacht, Aoife, stating they were dismasted and had three people on board and needed assistance.
RNLI Porthdinllaen all weather lifeboat was launched, and by 5.35 pm the yacht was safely on a RNLI mooring in Porthdinllaen.
Ray Carson, Watch Manager, Holyhead Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre says:
“We were keen for this yacht to be assisted into a safe haven as quickly as possible, as the weather conditions on scene were treacherous and forecast to worsen throughout the night.”
For more information visit www.mcga.gov.uk
