Desperate search for sailor after yacht hit rocks and sank off North Wales

North Wales Live

3 days ago

A major rescue operation was launched off the Anglesey coast for a sailor whose yacht had struck rocks before sinking. A coastguard helicopter, lifeboat crews and local ferries were called to assist after the boat began to sink after striking the Platters, a set of rocks near The Skerries.
The lone sailor had issued a mayday call before contact with the vessel was lost. As well as RNLI vessels and the coastguard helicopter answering the call for help, local vessels and two ferries heard the distress call and diverted course, in a bid to find and help the stricken sailor.
He was eventually found in the water, and was severely "severely hyperthermic" having been in the Irish Sea for more than 30 minutes. One of the rescuers said he had "never been more sure that we saved that man's life" in his more than three decades of service.
An RNLI Holyhead Lifeboat Station statement said: " Holyhead RNLI were involved in a dramatic Mayday rescue on Tuesday, when a lone sailor's yacht struck rocks off the Anglesey coast.
"Both the station's lifeboats were paged just after 4pm on Tuesday afternoon (24 June) after reports of a man in the water after his vessel struck the Platters, a set of rocks near The Skerries, and began to sink.
"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 rescuers searched, a red bag floating in the sea was spotted, possibly from the casualty vessel. With the HM Coastguard co-ordinating, lifeboats and the helicopter began an immediate search of that area, believing the casualty to be nearby. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
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 hyperthermic, 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.
"Both RNLI lifeboats then left the scene and headed back to their respective berths by 7.30pm, where they were washed and refuelled for any further calls."
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."
He added: "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."