Our volunteers at Trearddur Bay were recently involved in one of their most challenging rescues when a surfer got into trouble in heavy seas and strong winds, and was in danger of being smashed against the rocks.
But even after they'd got the surfer aboard their Atlantic 85 lifeboat, they still had to get back to dry land. As a normal recovery onto the trailer was not possible, they had to perform a net recovery, which involves driving the boat into the trailer on the back of a wave which is then ‘captured’ by a collapsing net.
The rescue tested the lifeboat and shore crew's training and equipment, including their launch tractor, to the limit.
Helmsman Lee Duncan said: 'The conditions were treacherous with a strong south westerly blowing in excess of 50mph. We had pretty much our most experienced crew on board - three helms and the lifeboat training officer - and I think in my twenty years on the crew at Trearddur Bay that was possibly the most touch and go shout I have been on.’
SUPPORT OUR LIFESAVING WORK - rnli.social/RNLI_donate
VISIT OUR WEBSITE - bit.ly/RNLI_Web
FACEBOOK - bit.ly/FacebookRNLI
TWITTER - bit.ly/TwitterRNLI
INSTAGRAM - bit.ly/InstagramRNLI
LINKEDIN - bit.ly/LinkedInRNLI
PINTEREST - bit.ly/PinterestRNLI
SNAPCHAT - bit.ly/SnapchatRNLI
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, lifeboat crews around the UK and Ireland are ready to launch to help those in need. Whether you're stuck on a sinking ship, cut off by a rapidly rising tide, or in the water and close to drowning, RNLI crew members will drop everything to come to your rescue. 95% of RNLI lifeboat crews and station staff are volunteers.
But it’s not just lifeboats. RNLI lifeguards patrol 248 beaches across the UK and Channel Islands, keeping people safe, providing safety advice and rescuing those in trouble. Education volunteers visit schools and swimming clubs to help teach the next generation how to enjoy the water safely. And volunteer fundraisers and shop workers give up their time to generate vital funds. The RNLI is also working to help communities around the world that are most at risk of drowning.
If you spot someone in trouble in the water, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.
- - -
Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), a charity registered in England and Wales (209603), Scotland (SC037736), the Republic of Ireland (20003326), the Bailiwick of Jersey (14), the Isle of Man, the Bailiwick of Guernsey and Alderney of West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ