Sailor pulled from water after yacht sinks near The Skerries

North Wales Chronicle

2 days ago

Both of Holyhead RNLI station's lifeboats were paged just after 4pm on Tuesday, June 24, following reports of a man in the water after his vessel hit the Platters - a set of rocks near The Skerries - and began taking on water.
Volunteer crews aboard the all-weather lifeboat Frederick Storey Cockburn and the D-class inshore lifeboat Mary and Archie Hooper launched immediately and headed to the scene. The HM Coastguard rescue helicopter was also tasked and reached the area within minutes.
A statement from RNLI Holyhead Lifeboat Station said: "Holyhead RNLI were involved in a dramatic Mayday rescue on Tuesday, when a lone sailor's yacht struck rocks off the Anglesey coast.
"The volunteer crews of the all-weather lifeboat Frederick Storey Cockburn, and the D-class inshore lifeboat Mary and Archie Hooper launched and headed immediately to the scene. The HM Coastguard rescue helicopter had also been tasked, and reached the location within minutes.
"Local vessels, including two inbound ferries, who also heard the Mayday, diverted their course and stayed in the area of the vessel's last position to assist if needed. HM Coastguard had lost all contact with the vessel and it was believed the sailor had entered the water.
"The lifeboats were on scene just after 4.30pm, and the helicopter had also arrived to assist with the search.
"As they began searching, the volunteers spotted a red bag floating in the sea, possibly from the casualty vessel. With the HM Coastguard co-ordinating, both lifeboats and the helicopter began an immediate search of that area, believing the casualty to be nearby."
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The statement added: "The crew of the HM Coastguard helicopter then spotted the man in the water, approximately 200 yards away from the ILB crew, who headed immediately to the location. On getting view of the casualty in the water in his lifejacket and holding his radio high with one arm, the crew were able to quickly reach him and pull him out of the water onto the lifeboat.
"The casualty was immediately assessed, and as a result of being in the water for over 30 minutes, he was severely hypothermic and had swallowed a lot of sea water.
"Due to the rough sea conditions, it was decided that the best course of action would be to transfer him onto the all-weather lifeboat and then for the man to be winched up to the HM helicopter.
"After performing a slow but steady transfer of the casualty across to the all-weather lifeboat, the inshore crew were then tasked with recovering other equipment which had been spotted by the helicopter team.
"Once the casualty was safely aboard the all-weather lifeboat, she was manoeuvred into a suitable position for the helicopter winch paramedic to be lowered onto the aft deck, which was carried out very quickly, and, soon after, the casualty was winched up to the helicopter and transferred immediately to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor."
Gareth Owens, who was a crewman on the all-weather lifeboat during the rescue, said: "In over 30 years of volunteering, I've never been more sure that we saved that man's life.
"A brilliant effort by everyone involved."
Holyhead RNLI coxswain Mark Wade said: "The man was an experienced sailor and thankfully was able to issue a Mayday in time. The sea conditions meant he had been carried away from the initial location.
"Sadly, his vessel was lost, but the fact that he had a radio with him and was wearing a lifejacket undoubtedly helped save his life.
"The fantastic team effort with between ourselves, the HM Coastguard helicopter team and those in the control room, as well as the great support from nearby vessels including the two ferries, meant this emergency call ended so much better than it could have.
"We wish him a full and speedy recovery."