RNLI Holyhead Lifeboat Station

13/06/2026

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If you fancy popping along to our lifeboat station and saying hi to some of the crew, today is a good day!

We're open until 4pm, supporting the Holyhead Sailing Club open day. Our ILB is out on display, so if you want to get some nice photos of the kids (or yourself 😅) with our D-class, come along and say hello.

*As ever, if we get called out, the lifeboat and crew may be elsewhere - although if we do, you may get to see us launch!

12/06/2026

📟 SHOUT! 📟

Another shout for us earlier this week, when both boats were called to assist a vessel in difficulty 12 miles out to sea.

Pagers first sounded just after 8pm on Tuesday evening (June 9th) , after a yacht, with two people on board, issued a Pan-Pan signal, needing help after its propeller became caught in a buoy. HM Coastguard requested the launch of the all-weather lifeboat Ger Tigchelaar.

A Pan-Pan signal is used by sailors to communicate that urgent help is needed, but there is no immediate danger.

Crew headed to the inner port where the lifeboat is berthed, and headed to the scene, reported as 12 nautical miles south south west of South Stack.

En route, the lifeboat crew were unable to establish direct communication with the casualty vessel, but as they reached the location, they were able to make an assessment of the situation.

The yacht, which had initially been reported as 12ft long, but which turned out to be larger at approximately 35 ft, had broken free of the buoy, and was starting to make very slow headway, but was struggling against the strong tides. The sailors were unable to use the vessel’s propeller due to its encounter with the buoy, and had limited steering.

Communication was established with the crew, and due to the vessel’s issues and the crew being tired and not confident they could make their own way, a plan was made to tow the yacht to the safety of Holyhead harbour.

A tow was carefully established, and the journey began to Holyhead at a steady pace of 5-6 knots.

As they reached South Stack, the lifeboat crew were informed that one of the casualties was feeling unwell, and was receiving medication for a pre-existing medical condition. HM Coastguard requested the launch of the D-class inshore lifeboat, Mary and Archie Hooper, to meet the casualty and larger lifeboat, and assist with the tow.

The ILB launched just after midnight, and joined the scene. The crew were able to guide and assist the casualty vessel onto the casualty mooring within Holyhead harbour, and once safely moored and checks made that the two sailors were well, both lifeboats left the scene, and headed back to their respective locations to be prepared for any further calls.

📸 Holyhead RNLI

Holyhead RNLI coxswain Mark Wade said:

‘Apart from the fouled propeller, the yacht was in good condition and the sailors were well-equipped. They did the right thing issuing a call for help. The weather and tides were quite challenging, and the two sailors were very grateful for our assistance.’

He also added:

‘Well done once again to the crew of volunteers, who, as ever, turned out despite the hour, to help others in trouble. We’d also like to express thanks to another local vessel, that had initially attended the casualty vessel after the Pan-Pan was issued, but was unable to help due to the conditions.’

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09/06/2026

📟 SHOUT! 📟

Our crew of volunteers were called out yesterday afternoon (Monday June 8th) after a vessel ran aground near Llanfwrog.

Pagers sounded at 4.38pm, requesting the launch of the D-class inshore lifeboat Mary and Archie Hooper. HM Coastguard were contacted after the 40ft vessel, with three people on board, got into trouble near the location known as Porth Dryw.

The sailors were on their way to Penrhos after travelling from the Isle of Man, when the wind carried them off course and inland. The trio had attempted to lay anchor, but this had failed, and the boat and her occupants had been caught by the winds and landed on rocks, where they became stuck.

The lifeboat was quickly launched, with four volunteers on board, and headed to the scene. On arrival, the welfare of the casualties was checked, and all were found to be well. It was agreed that the best course of action would be to take the three people onto the lifeboat, and take them back to shore for safety. Their vessel seemed to be watertight, so was left at the location in the hope that it would refloat when the waters rose.

The casualties were delivered safely ashore at Llanfwrog, into the care of the awaiting volunteer Holyhead coastguard team.

The lifeboat then left the scene and returned to station, to be washed and refuelled ready for any further calls.

Helm Sion Owens said:

‘The sailors were experienced and well-equipped, and simply were unlucky with the weather and tides. This incident shows how an early call to the Coastguard means further issues can often be avoided.’

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30/05/2026

📟 SHOUT! 📟

Our volunteers were called out late this afternoon (Saturday May 30th) , after reports that a 33ft sailing vessel was struggling to make headway near North Stack.

Crew pagers sounded just before 5pm, with HM Coastguard requesting the launch of the all-weather lifeboat Ger Tigchelaar.

The lifeboat was launched, and headed to the location. The casualty vessel, with three people on board, was making slow progress, and the decision was made to es**rt them to the safety of Holyhead Marina, due to the tide and conditions.

As the casualty vessel and the lifeboat approached a mooring within Holyhead Harbour, the Holyhead Sailing Club launch boat arrived and assisted the craft to a mooring. The ALB stood by to ensure all was well, and then headed back to her berth within Holyhead Port, where she was prepared for any further calls.

29/05/2026

📟 SHOUT! 📟

Our crew were called out again yesterday afternoon (Thursday May 28), after two jetskiers became stuck on sandbanks near Penrhos Beach.

Pagers sounded shortly before 4.45pm, with HM Coastguard requesting the launch of our D-class inshore lifeboat, Mary and Archie Hooper. It was initially thought there may be three jetskiers at the scene.

Initial reports suggested one of the casualties may be injured, and they were stuck on sandbanks near Valley cob.

Our RNLI volunteers launched the ILB within a few minutes, and headed to the location. Local cliff rescue teams had also been asked to attend.

On reaching the location, it was found that there were two jetskiers, and no injuries, but the casualties had been stuck on sandbanks – however they had managed to refloat and were starting to head back to Llanfwrog, (also known as Sandy Beach) where they had come from.

Suitable safety advice was given, and the casualties then headed back to Llanfwrog, where they were being met by the Holyhead volunteer coastguard team.

The lifeboat headed back to the lifeboat station, and was washed and prepared for any further calls.

🟠 We’d like to remind everyone to be aware of the tides and layout of our local waters – it can be very difficult to judge the depth of water in certain locations.

🟠 Always wear a suitable lifejacket or buoyancy aid, and have means for calling for help. Dial 999 if you or someone else is in trouble at sea, and ask for the coastguard.

Yesterday's shout was our 4th over the half-term break.

📸Holyhead D-class lifeboat Mary and Archie Hooper (library photo)

28/05/2026

📟SHOUT(S)! 📟

A busy day for us yesterday, with two shouts – one during the blistering heat in the afternoon, and another during the thunderstorm last night,

Pagers first sounded yesterday afternoon (Wednesday May 27th) just before 3pm, asking for the immediate launch of both lifeboats. A lone sailor had reported he had sustained a head injury on board his vessel, and needed assistance.

The casualty’s location was off the Holyhead jetty and towards Llanfwrog. Both lifeboats headed quickly to the scene.

On arrival, the casualty was found to be not too badly injured. After a discussion with the him, it was decided to es**rt him and his vessel back to Holyhead marina, where he was met by volunteers from the local cliff rescue team.

Both lifeboats then returned to be prepared for any further calls, arriving back at approximately 5.30pm.

Crew pagers sounded once again just before 8pm, after a member of the public had reported seeing what they thought was a person in trouble in the water near Mackenzie Pier. The launch of the inshore D-class lifeboat was requested, and, despite the challenging conditions of a large thunderstorm and heavy rain , volunteers headed immediately to the station and launched the lifeboat within a few short minutes.

Heading to the reported location and checking the area, the person in the water was thankfully found to be a buoy. Satisified that no one was in danger, the lifeboat once again headed back to the station to be prepared for any further calls. This call was made with good intentions, and we were relieved that no one was in trouble at that time.

Holyhead RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager David Owens praised the crew for attending both shouts so quickly, and in such extreme weather conditions:

‘Yesterday shows how dedicated our volunteers are if they believe someone is in trouble at sea. Bad weather, including last night’s thunderstorm, doesn’t change their intentions to help others, and we’re lucky to have these men and women who will venture out in conditions that most of us try to avoid.’

📸 Photo is from the first shout, yesterday afternoon

27/05/2026

We loved showing this great group of young people around our station. Hope you're all enjoying the rest of your North Wales adventure! You've certainly picked the weather for it! 🌞

Leighton Buzzard Sea Cadets & Royal Marines Cadets, TS OCEAN

26/05/2026

25/05/2026

📟 SHOUT! 📟

Our volunteer crew were called out yesterday (Sunday May 24) to assist tandem kayakers, who had got into difficulty near Carmel Head.

Pagers sounded at 3.25pm, initially requesting the launch of the all-weather lifeboat, but soon after also requesting the launch of the D-class inshore lifeboat. Crew quickly launched both boats, and headed to the scene, near the area known as West Mouse, approximately one nautical mile from Carmel Head.

With the D-class arriving first, the couple were quickly spotted in the kayak. They had been caught in the strong current, but, unable to make any headway, were being carried further out to sea. A nearby vessel, spotting them in trouble, had contacted HM Coastguard, as they had been unable to assist themselves due to the conditions.

Our ILB, Mary and Archie Hooper, was quickly manoeuvred so that the two casualties could be brought on board, and, with the kayak alongside, started heading to the Church Bay area where the couple had left from earlier that day. The all-weather lifeboat, Ger Tigchelaar, was also making its way, and so the casualties and their kayak were transferred on board the larger boat, and taken to Church Bay.

On reaching Church Bay, the two people and their kayak were put back onto the ILB, and taken ashore, where they were given suitable advice, and met by volunteer cliff rescue teams from Cemaes Bay and Holyhead.

The lifeboats then left the area and headed back to Holyhead, where they were prepared for any further calls., arriving back at approximately 5.15pm.

ILB helm Dave Roberts said:

‘‘This call shows how, even on a sunny and seemingly calm day, the waters on our coastline can still be very dangerous. Carrying items such as flares is always recommended, and having a radio with you too, as mobile phones can’t always be relied on. Also, awareness that even if it looks like a calm sea from the shore, that can be deceiving, and it’s still easy to be swept out by the tide.’

He added:

‘We’d also like to say a big thank you to the other vessel, who did the right thing and contacted the coastguard to ask for help for the casualties.’

❗ Remember, if you or anyone else is in trouble at sea, dial 9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣ and ask for the Coastguard.

📸 Holyhead RNLI and Cemaes Coastguard Team

13/05/2026

Thanks to the RNLI for highlighting our rescue of Jon almost 2 years ago - it was a long one - almost 8 hours in total! We've kept in touch with Jon and his family, and it's great to know he recovered from his injuries and is now doing really well for himself after graduating from university 😀👏