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25th August, 2008

Rhyl Flats Wind Farm - 0920 hours

Clear – Rough Seas

Llandudno’s ALB, Andy Pearce was requested to launch to go to the assistance of the nobby “Eleanora” which was on route from Conwy to Liverpool.  The casualty had suffered complete electrical failure and a damaged bowsprit and mast.  The boat had initially been taken in tow by the Dutch barge “Yogi” and towed a few miles to the Rhyl Flats wind farm.  Rhyl’s ALB had also been requested to launch in case its assistance was required but not being required it returned to station at 1045 hours.  Once on scene Llandudno’s Andy Pearce took the tow from the tug and towed the casualty in to the shelter of Llandudno Bay.  It was a difficult tow because of the heavy seas with a 12’ swell.  Both the ALB and the casualty then anchored in Llandudno Bay to await the turn of the tide to enable the tow to continue to Conwy.  A battery pack, and food for the lifeboat crew, was ferried out to the lifeboat in the bay.

Whilst in Llandudno Bay the Andy Pearce was requested at 1545 to investigate a report of a small boat in difficulties at Llanddulas.  A car driving along the A55 reported seeing someone in a small boat waving.  The ALB made a search of the area and the sea king helicopter from RAF Valley also made a search but nothing was found so the helicopter returned to base and the ALB returned to Llandudno Bay to the “Eleanora”.  The casualty was again taken in tow and was towed round the Great Orme to Conwy.  The tow was then passed over to Conwy ILB who took the casualty in to Conwy Marina. The ALB then returned to Llandudno Bay at 1900 where it was recovered and returned to the boathouse at 1945 hours.  This was an extremely long day for the crew who were out on service for almost 11 hours.

Awaiting the tide in Llandudno Bay

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26th August, 2008

North of Llandudno - 1430 hours

Showers - Force 8 - Rough Seas

Llandudno’s ALB was requested to launch at 1430 hours to go to the aid of the 37’ yacht “Odyssey” with two people, one male and one female on board, 30 miles north north west of the Great Orme (half way between Llandudno and the Isle of Man).  A 2” rope had become entangled round the hull, propeller and rudder and the yacht was anchored on the seabed in the busy Irish Sea.  The female was ill but opted to stay on the yacht.  A lifeboat crew member was put on board the yacht and with great difficulty and after 90 minutes managed to cut through the 2” rope and other ropes and small buoys attached to it.  It was decided not to start the engine in case there was damage to the propshaft.  The yacht then went under sail on towards Conwy, with crew member Tim on board, and the lifeboat followed to ascertain its progress.    The Andy Pearce decided to stay with the casualty and shadowed it to Puffin Island where they anchored to await the tide.  They then took the yacht in to Conway marina and returned to Llandudno 0700 on 27th August. A gruelling 16 ½ hour rescue in very rough conditions, especially for the crew members who had been on board for 11 hours the previous day.

Crew member Tim freeing the rope from the

Propeller of the Odyssey

Llandudno’s ILB was called out at 1631 following a report of two children, ages 15 and 11, in an inflatable kayak drifting at Colwyn Bay pier.  Whilst the crew were kitting up the father of the children swam out and brought the children ashore.   The ILB was stood down before leaving the boathouse.