Halloween party interrupted by yacht rescue

Tuesday, 29 October 2024 14:56

By MônFM Newsroom

RNLI / Ros Hemmings

A kids' Halloween party at Pwllheli lifeboat station was interrupted when a yacht broke down.

The RNLI crew had just finished a disco dancing game with the town's children on Sunday afternoon, when their pagers rang out of the blue.

The inshore D-class lifeboat was called out at just after 4.45pm after the Coastguard reported a 40ft yacht drifting dangerous close to rocks after suffering a mechanical failure.

Because the vessel was in danger of wrecking - and no other boats were on hand nearby - the lifeboat crew decided to tow the yacht safely back to Pwllheli Marina.

Dave Williams, lifeboat helm at RNLI Pwllheli, said: "We arrived on scene to find the 40ft yacht being blown onto the rocky harbour wall due to a mechanical failure. With the increasing wind and tide soon to turn, it was decided that the safest thing to do was to tow the vessel to Pwllheli Marina where coastguard teams from Criccieth and Abersoch would meet us."

"A lifeboat crew member was placed aboard the casualty vessel to assist the crew, who were all well-equipped and wearing lifejackets. They did the right thing in contacting the coastguard when they did."

Despite having their party interrupted, the young revellers braved the wet and windy conditions in fancy dress to watch the crew set off on their unexpected shout.

Alison Hayes, chair of the volunteer fundraisers for RNLI Pwllheli, added: "It was all quite exciting to see a real-time call-out happening in front of our eyes."

"We would like to thank all the children and parents for being so understanding in having their party ended a few minutes earlier than expected, but we think it was worth it to really see what the lifeboat is all about."

"Many partygoers even went to the beach in the pouring rain and wind, in their fancy dress, to see the lifeboat being launched. All in all, a wonderful afternoon that showed everyone why fundraising is so important in saving lives at sea."

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