Four people were rescued from a wooden sailing boat at risk of sinking north of Point Lynas.

The 32m vessel was en-route to Scotland began taking on water around 15 nautcial miles off the north Anglesey coast last Saturday morning.

Three lifeboat crews from Moelfre, Holyhead and Beaumaris were sent to the Mayday call, along with two Coastguard helicopters and two commercial vessels, in an operation which took over nine hours.

The yacht had lost its electrical and navigational aids and was in danger of sinking as the all-weather lifeboat from Moelfre arrived amid deteriorating conditions.

Two RNLI crew members used a salvage pump to ensure that engine was able to keep running, with the Holyhead ALB providing an additional pump which was not needed.

The yacht was eventually guided into the Menai Strait with the Atlantic 85 lifeboat from Beaumaris providing assistance until it came alongside the pontoon, where a fire cew and local coastguards from Bangor were on hand with more equipment to save the vessel from sinking.

Mike Hughes-Roberts, coxswain at RNLI Moelfre, said: "Although preparations had been made for the boat to be ready to make the passage to Scotland, you never know what Mother Nature will throw at you."

"Having the correct emergency equipment on board is essential and ensuring you ask for help before it is too late. By sending a distress alert (DSC) and mayday, help was able to arrive quickly and, in this case, two ships, two helicopters and multiple lifeboats were soon on hand to help."

"Please always do the relevant safety checks and prepare when you go to sea and know your emergency procedures."