Flares lead RNLI to stranded boaters

29/08/2023

Stranded boaters have been rescued by the RNLI at night off the Isle of Man after using flares to pinpoint their position.

Holyhead RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat was called one night in August to a vessel in trouble north of the Traffic Separation Scheme, the shipping lane between Anglesey and also the Isle of Man.

Two people on board the 46-foot Bayliner asked the Coastguard for help after their craft lost power.

The Severn-class lifeboat Christopher Pearce headed into the Irish Sea. Due to poor communication, an approximate location had been given, so the lifeboat crew and the Coastguard tried to glean more information.

It was later reported that the stranded boaters could see three lighthouse lights and were asked to send up a flare to confirm their location. A first flare was sighted approximately eight nautical miles from the bow of the lifeboat and another, 15 minutes later, five degrees from the lifeboat’s port side.

The stranded vessel was approached slowly. Medical checks were made on the two crew, who were suffering from fatigue.

The casualties were given a VHF radio and the boat was towed to Holyhead Harbour. Welfare checks were made by radio every 15 minutes.

Holyhead coxswain Tony Price says, “This was a great team effort, with a successful outcome. Our thanks go to HM Coastguard for their assistance in making contact with the casualty vessel, and we wish both people on board well.”

The image shows Christopher Pearce and is also an RNLI library photo.

Source: RNLI