Inshore Lifeboat Services for 2005

15th January 2005- Lady in difficulty off Lligwy Beach

A Report was received from Holyhead CG of a lady in difficulty in the water off Lligwy beach. The Inshore lifeboat launched and soon found the casualty about a 1/4 of a mile off the shore. The lady had been in the water for about 25 minutes by this time. A lifeboat Crewman entered the water to help the lady in to the boat and after a short while was helped on board. She was then taken ashore where an Ambulance and Coastguard units were waiting. The lady was taken to hospital at Ysbyty Gwynedd and the ILB returned to station.

3rd April 2005- Abandoned Canoe.

Moelfre Coastguard unit was called out to a report of an abandoned canoe at Penrhyn point, Traeth Bychan. After making enquiries it was established that some children had been seen playing with the canoe. Holyhead CG decided to search the area and asked for the ILB to be launched. A Seaking helicopter from RAF Valley was also tasked and a thorough search was conducted but nothing was found. At 18:55 the ILB was told to return to station.

19th April 2005 – Boat/Person in difficulty off Benllech

A Report from a member of public to Holyhead CG of a vessel in difficulty off Benllech beach and a person in the water, the Coastguard requested the Launch of the ILB. Once on scene it was found to be one of the local lobster fishermen doing his pots and that he was not in any difficulty at all, a False alarm with good intent.

1st May 2005 Capsized sailing dinghy off Traeth Bychan

ILB launched to a report from Holyhead CG that a small sailing Dinghy had capsized at Traeth Bychan and there were three people in the water trying to right the craft. On arrival the ILB found that the craft would not right because the mast was stuck in the sand. The ILB attached a line and pulled the craft clear of the sand and were then able to right it. Casualties and craft were then taken ashore at Traeth Bychan.

1st June 2005 Capsized boat between Moelfre & Lligwy

Holyhead CG reported a small vessel capsized between Moelfre and Lligwy bay. ILB launched and found the vessel as soon as they rounded Moelfre Island. The sailing catamaran had capsized but they were in no difficulty and required no assistance. ILB returned to station. Moelfre Mobile CG kept the craft visual until they returned to Traeth Bychan. False alarm with good intent.

3rd June 2005 broken down Speedboat off Moelfre

Report from Holyhead CG of a broken down speed boat off Benllech Bay, request launch of ILB. ILB launched and proceeded to Benllech but could not find the casualty vessel. On further questioning the casualty vessel, it was found that they were actually East of Moelfre Island. ILB proceeded back to this position and found the casualty which had suffered electrical failure and could not re-start his engine. A tow was passed and one ILB crew boarded the casualty vessel. The vessel was then towed to Traeth
Bychan.

30th June 2005 Children Blow out in Dinghy.

ILB launched to a report of a child being blown out to sea on an inflatable at Traeth Bychan. When the ILB reached Traeth Bychan the inflatable boat was ashore but they found one young boy in the water about 500 yards offshore. The engine on the inflatable boat had broken down and the older boy had swum out from the beach to try and rescue his brother. Unfortunately the younger boy had managed to paddle the boat back to shore leaving the older boy tired and stranded. The ILB picked the boy out of the water and landed him back on the beach where they were met by Moelfre CG. No medical treatment was needed.

10th July 2005 Broken Down Speed Boat

ILB launched to a broken down speed boat reported to be 1 mile off Traeth Bychan. The vessel was easily found and towed in to Traeth Bychan. The starter motor had failed.

13th July 2005 Man in the water

ILB launched to a report that 2 night fishermen had seen a man walking in to the sea near Benllech under the Hewits caravan park. As ILB arrived at scene Moelfre Mobile CG unit reported that they had found one person un-clothed on the road close to the scene. This was confirmed to be the person; ILB was then able to return to station.

15th July 2005 Two men in difficulties in a Dinghy.

ILB launched to a report of two people in difficulty in a dinghy off Benllech beach. On arrival it was found that the persons were in no immediate trouble but accepted a tow ashore. ILB landed the two persons safely ashore the returned to station.

20th July 2005 Speed Boat Grounded/Broken Down.

ILB diverted from exercise to investigate Speed Boat off St Davids, Red Wharf Bay.
Boat found to be unable to start due to flat batteries. Boat towed back to Traeth Bychan

2nd August 2005 Person in the water off Lligwy

ILB crew was paged to a person in the water off Lligwy beach. ILB crew mustered but were stood down just before launch. Another vessel had picked up the casualty and was directed by the CG to drop him off at the lifeboat slipway. Whilst on the way to the lifeboat station a doctor on a yacht moored in Moelfre offered his help, so the vessel picked him up and then landed

2nd August 2005 Boat broken down and taking on water

ILB was launched to a small fibreglass dinghy with engine failure about a mile off Traeth Bychan. The engine had failed and the two persons onboard were trying to row in against a very strong SW wind. Once on scene the ILB crew discovered that the dinghy also had a hole and was making water. ILB towed the craft to Traeth Bychan as quick as could safely be done. In the view of the ILB crew the vessel was not fit to go to sea. ILB returned to station.

6th August 2005 Yacht aground and listing on Dulas Island

The Inshore lifeboat was launched to assist the ALB in removing the 7 crew off the casualty vessel, due to the lack of water over the reef the ALB stood by in case salvage pumps were needed, the ILB was skilfully manoeuvred over the reef to extract the crew, and all 7 were then transferred to the ALB. Both boats returned to station until the vessel re-floated.

6th August 2005 Yacht aground and listing on Dulas Island

The ILB was also re-launched with the ALB to transfer the crew back onto the yacht due to the lack of water over the reef; the ILB was used to gently edge the vessel off the rocky reef and back into safer waters. Once the yacht was clear and underway the ILB returned to station leaving the ALB to escort her back to port.

10th August 2005 Dinghy off Benllech.

Whilst on exercise the ILB was called to a report of children in difficulty on an inflatable dinghy just off Benllech beach. On Arrival it was found that the children had managed to make their own way ashore and no assistance was needed. ILB carried on with exercise.

17th August 2005 Dinghy off Benllech

ILB was called to a report of two children in difficulty on an inflatable dinghy just off Lligwy beach. Before ILB could launch another report was received from the CG that the Dinghy was being towed in by a speed boat, cancel launch.

17th August 2005 people cut off by the tide in red wharf bay

ILB was called off exercise to a report of 5 people cut off by the tide at Red wharf Bay. When the ILB arrived on scene Moelfre mobile were also arriving. Moelfre Mobile managed to get on to the sands and make the 5 children aware of the danger. The CG escorted the children off the sands and back to their parents who were also unaware of the danger. ILB returned to station.

27th August 2005 Dinghy in difficulties off Benllech

ALB was on exercise off Bull Bay when a call was received from Holyhead CG tasking the ALB to a dinghy believed to be having problems between Benllech and Traeth Bychan. Due to the distance from the casualty it was decided to page the ILB which would be able to respond much quicker. ALB proceeded at full speed but at 11.46 was told to stand down and continue with exercise. ILB found casualty who were not in any danger.

11th September 2005 Object floating off Llanddonna

A large floating object was sighted off Moelfre floating down with the tide. The object looked as if it could be a capsized boat so it was decided to launch the ILB to check it out. On arrival it was found to be a large marina pontoon float about 5ft X 5ft. The CG requested the ILB tow the object to shore as it could be a danger to other vessels. A tow was made fast and the object was towed to Traeth Bychan. The local council removed the object from the beach.

11th September 2005 Injured Seal

ILB was returning to station after the above incident when the CG requested they proceed to Swnt beach to check out a report of a baby seal in distress. The seal was soon found but when the crew approached the animal it entered the water and swam away. The ILB returned to station.

18th September 2005 Broken down speed boat.

ILB was requested to proceed to the Puffin Island area to take over a tow from Beaumaris Lifeboat. Beaumaris had picked up the casualty East of Puffin and they had requested a tow back to Traeth Bychan. Moelfre ILB took over the tow just off Careg Onnen and landed the casualty safely in Traeth Bychan.
 

26th September 2005 2 Persons in the water off Treath Bychan

ILB launched to a report of persons in the water off Traeth Bychan. On Arrival the ILB spotted a sailing dinghy with one person climbing onboard and went alongside. The person on the sailing dinghy informed the ILB crew that his sailing partner had also fallen overboard when the dinghy had capsized and he had not seen him for at least 10 minutes. The ILB began a search and spotted the man clinging to a fender about 200yds off shore. The man was pulled from the water and found to be very cold. The ILB requested an ambulance. The man was put ashore with the mobile CG unit from Moelfre and the ILB proceeded back out to the sailing dinghy which had now taken on a lot of water, about 500 yds off the point at Traeth Bychan. The second man was found clinging to the boom and was pulled on board the ILB. At this point the sailing dinghy capsized and its fin keel caught under the ILB lifting the ILB's port side out of the water. The dinghy was righted but due to the weather conditions soon capsized again, so it was decided to take the second casualty ashore to the ambulance and come back out for the dinghy. Once the second casualty had been handed over to the ambulance the ILB once again proceeded to the sailing dinghy. Whilst trying to right the dinghy on this occasion a gust of wind pushed the dinghy right over, trapping the Stbd sponson of the ILB. The helmsman went astern whilst the other crew member held the mast and rigging clear, and with the engine he managed to free the ILB from the Dinghy and its rigging. At this point the Helmsman decided it was to dangerous to risk righting again. The ALB was launched and between the two boats managed to tow the vessel ashore.

27th September 2005 Fishing boat aground on rocks off Bullbay

ALB launched to a vessel putting out a Mayday between Amlwch and Bull Bay. The vessel reported being on a reef in heavy swell. On arrival the casualties had just been taken off by helicopter from RAF Valley but the boat was still in amongst the rocks. The ILB which had also arrived on scene tried to grapnel the anchor line of the casualty vessel but found it very difficult due to the swell rolling in to the base of the rocks. A line and grapnel was made ready on the bow of the ALB and once close enough the crew were able to grapnel the anchor rope of the casualty vessel. The vessel was pulled clear of the rocks and the ILB went along side to clear all ropes and debris, ready for towing. ILB towed the vessel under escort form the ALB to Bull Bay where it was put ashore safely. Both boats returned to station.