Rescue Services

[SteveH]

Inside Red Cross' new high-tech Land Rover that will 'reach patients in remotest corners of North Wales'
The Defender comes with an on board 'kettle', top antennae and solar panels

A charity worker has told how a new customised Land Rover will help crews reach patients in remote corners of North Wales. The British Red Cross expert says its emergency response Defender 130 is kitted out with a mobile "kettle", solar power battery charger and powerful 4G-connected antenna.

This will allow its volunteers to communicate with colleagues and other emergency responders, even in remote areas. The one-of-a-kind vehicle has been donated to the charity by Jaguar Land Rover.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/inside-red-cross-new-high-26885157

[SteveH]

Llandudno and Rhyl Coastguard teams called out to incidents together

YESTERDAY (May 21) was a ?very busy day? for the Llandudno Coastguard crew, with five call-outs to assist people in trouble.

The team was working alongside colleagues from Rhyl?s Coastguard crew at times, as well as Rhyl?s Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) branch.

Calls ranged from searching for potentially lost people, to paddle-boarders needing help, to jet-skiers who had run aground on the sandbanks.

Llandudno Coastguard said: ?Fortunately, all of these episodes ended positively.

?If you are intending to go out on the coastline, please prepare appropriately.

?Life jackets for paddle-boarding are essential. Going for a walk on the beach, make sure that you know if the tide is coming in or going out.

?Out jet skiing, life jackets, torches and a knowledge of the waters around you are essential.

?If you see someone in trouble on the coastline, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.?

[SteveH]

Lifeboat crews were called to reports of an item crashing into the sea off North Wales - before recovering a dog-shaped party balloon. RNLI volunteers were called to reports of a "kite or something similar" falling into the water off Llanddulas in Conwy, on Saturday May 21.

Lifeboat crews were conducting exercises at the time, but were diverted. A search of the area found nothing significant, except a balloon with a cartoon dog printed on it.

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/rnli-crews-called-report-item-26965151?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Two call outs today 28th May, both regarding people in danger of being cut off on the West Shore sandbanks.
Fortunately, at the moment, there are neap tides which mean that the tide flows relatively slowly and, together with our friends from Conwy Lifeboat,  we were able to help everyone off the sandbanks unharmed. In a week's time the tides will be in a spring phase and will be flowing much faster thus making the sandbanks much more dangerous.

The critical time is about two hours after low tide. There are many apps and web sites with a wealth of tidal information so if you intend going out on the sandbanks please check the tide times for Conwy or Llandudno.

Most people who read these messages are local and are aware of the potential dangers at West Shore. If that's you, we would be very grateful if you would share these posts so that your friends and relatives who live elsewhere can be made aware of the potential dangers.

 #999Coastguard #watersafety #BeBeachSafe....https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/watersafety

[SteveH]

LIFESAVERS went to the rescue of a 30-foot-yacht that was stranded in Conwy waters.

The yacht, which had suffered a loss of power, was located about one nautical mile off Penmaenmawr, close to the Fairways Buoy.

Llandudno all weather lifeboat William F Yates launched at 4.45pm on June 1 to join the Conwy inshore lifeboat May-Bob in a joint operation to assist the vessel.

A spokesperson for Llandudno RNLI said: "The Conwy lifeboat which had launched at 4.08pm was already on scene to provide assistance, however the crew were unable to continue an effective tow due to the strong North Easterly winds at the time.

"Llandudno lifeboat arrived shortly before 5.15pm to secure the casualty vessel and commence passage to the safety of Conwy Harbour.

"On arrival at Conwy Harbour the Conwy volunteer crew were able to take over the tow and secure the casualty vessel to a safe mooring."

[SteveH]

Coastguard crews in North Wales looking for new rescue officers

HM COASTGUARD crews based across North Wales are on the lookout for rescue officers to join their teams.

As a volunteer rescue officer, you could be involved in a range of situations; from mud, cliff and water rescues, to searches for missing people.

You will not be paid, but can claim a small amount of money for your time and expenses.

HM Coastguard is the UK?s 999 Maritime and Coastal Emergency Service.

The crews are made up of volunteers who carry out rescues and help those in distress around our coast.

The teams across a number of stations in the Coastguard?s ?Area 15? are looking for volunteers, which includes Llandudno, Rhyl and Flint.

HM Coastguard said: ?Volunteering with us is a rewarding role that supports and gives back to your local community.
?You can make a real difference and help to save lives.?

For more information, visit: www.hmcoastguard.uk/volunteer.                 

To request an application form, email: area15@mcga.gov.uk June 30 and include your name, age, current address and contact number.

You should also specify which Coastguard rescue team you have an interest in joining; after which, you will then be sent an application form.

[SteveH]

A FISHING boat that was stranded off the coast of Rhos-on-Sea was rescued by the RNLI service in Llandudno on Saturday (June 3).

Llandudno RNLI's D Class Lifeboat Dr. Barbara Saunderson launched to assist a fishing boat which had experienced mechanical difficulties approximately three nautical miles north of Rhos Point.

A volunteer crew of three took to the water at around 1.45pm and arrived on scene to provide the 24-foot vessel with a tow back to the safety of Rhos-on-Sea Harbour.

Helm on the inshore lifeboat, Bert Williams, said: ?We train regularly with towing exercises, the conditions today were quite favourable in spite of a half metre swell, so we were able to quickly bring the boat to a safe anchorage.?

[SteveH]

What do a building surveyor, a chiropodist and a tree surgeon all have in common?

They are all members of HM Coastguard's Llandudno Coastal Rescue Team.
Could you be the next new member of this dedicated team of volunteers? We are currently looking for new members to join us as Coastal Rescue Officers to carry out rescues and help those in distress around the coast.

For more information about the Coastguard Rescue Service visit www.hmcoastguard.uk/volunteer or to request an application form email area15@mcga.gov.uk by Friday 30th June and include your name, age, current address and contact number.
If you would like any more information about what we do, come and visit us to have a chat at Rhos on Sea Harbour on Tuesday 20th June from 6.30 to 8pm.

 #coastguard #999Coastguard #llandudno #rhosonsea #colwynbay #penrhynbay Penrhyn #craigydon

PS
Llandudno Lifeboat Fundraising Crew will be at the Lifeboat Station on Sunday afternoon, 25th between 1pm and 4pm offering teas and coffees and a chat. .if you like .
Hope to see you there!

[SteveH]

THE Llandudno RNLI inshore lifeboat, Dr Barbara Saunderson, launched shortly after 2.20pm on Friday afternoon (June 23), having been tasked by HM Coastguard to provide assistance to a 18-foot rib.

The stranded vessel, with one person on board, was at anchor between Llandudno Pier and Pen Trwyn with a reported engine failure.

The volunteer crew of three were soon on scene at the location approximately one mile north-east of the Great Orme, and after assessing the situation, agreed to undertake a tow to return the casualty vessel to the safety of Conwy Harbour.

Inshore lifeboat helm, Bert Williams, said: ?Conditions around the Great Orme were quite challenging for a while as we started our tow, but improved once we had changed course to make our approach to Conwy Marina.

?I would also like to congratulate Lisa who crewed for her first operational service.?

[SteveH]

A PERSON was taken to safety after their 27-foot yacht took on water.

Llandudno inshore lifeboat Dr Barbara Saunderson was launched at 7.50am on Saturday, July 1 to provide urgent assistance.

The boat was anchored close to Llandudno Pier.

The sole occupant on board had been making efforts to bail out the advancing water before calling the Coastguard for the help of the lifeboat.

The inshore lifeboat crew evacuated the casualty before assessing how best to salvage the waterlogged vessel.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23634583.llandudno-rnli-rescue-27-foot-yacht-taking-water/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Jet-ski law change could lead to prosecution in Conwy

Conwy County Council believe they will be in a stronger position to prosecute ?reckless? water-sports enthusiasts riding jet skis after a change in the law.

Speaking at a Conwy harbour advisory committee meeting this week, councillors heard how jet skis are once again classed as ?vessels?, enabling local authorities to take action against those riding dangerously.

According to Conwy?s harbour master Matthew Forbes, Gwynedd County Council is among the first authorities in the UK to try and bring about a prosecution in line with the new law, and Conwy County Council is watching keenly.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23643001.jet-ski-law-change-lead-prosecution-conwy/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

PS
BBC report 

Conwy: New sea scooter law welcomed by harbour master

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-66143512

[SteveH]

Mammoth search effort for person 'stuck on mountain' and 'freezing' ended up being false alarm
A search and rescue team spent a combined 52 hours trying to get to the bottom of a distress call

A search and rescue team spent a combined 52 hours trying to get to the bottom of a call that ended up being a false alarm. At around 1.45pm on Friday, call handlers from Aberdyfi Search and Rescue Team were made aware of a fragmented call for help received by the ambulance service that was then passed on to police.

The message mentioned that one or more people were "stuck on mountain" and "freezing" but the call disconnected before any further details could be gathered, according to the SAR team, and all subsequent attempts to contact the caller by them, the police and the ambulance service went straight to voicemail.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/mammoth-search-effort-person-stuck-27332307

[SteveH]

LLANDUDNOs all-weather RNLI lifeboat William F Yates was launched at 10.08am yesterday (July 20) to help evacuate a casualty from the Irish Sea.

The launch was requested by HMCG Holyhead to evacuate a member of crew who required urgent hospital treatment from aboard a drill ship conducting drilling and sampling operations.

The 103-metre, 11,751-ton Drill Ship Fugro Synergy was located in the Irish Sea approximately 25 nautical miles north of Llandudno.

The volunteer crew of six were on scene within an hour to begin executing the safe evacuation of the casualty from the drill ship to the lifeboat.

The coxswain Graham Heritage was then advised by HMCG to return to station where the casualty could be transferred to an ambulance for further treatment at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor.

The lifeboat was recovered by the volunteer shore crew at 12.24pm to be washed down and prepared for the next launch.

Coxswain Graham said: ?These are scenarios which we train for week in, week out.

?We manoeuvred to get alongside the vessel and with a harness the casualty was able to be taken on board using the pilot ladder, all of the crew performed their duties exceptionally well to ensure everything went to plan.

[SteveH]

A new British medal is being launched to honour people who have responded to major disasters and emergencies, such as earthquakes and floods.

Approved by King Charles, the Humanitarian Medal will recognise the efforts of emergency workers and relief teams, including charities, service personnel and health workers.

It will honour the "unsung heroes" in emergencies both abroad and in the UK.

This could be natural disasters, but also war zones and epidemics.

Alongside military and civilian honours, the new Humanitarian Medal will recognise those working in the most serious of disasters, including tsunamis, hurricanes and major industrial accidents.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-66267872

[SteveH]

Police are responding to a "serious" incident in Anglesey tonight (Saturday, July 29). North Wales Police said at just before 9pm that officers are at Ravens Point in Trearddur Bay.
The force is understood to be supporting HM Coastguard, however the exact nature of the incident has not been confirmed. Members of the public have been urged to avoid the area.
North Wales Police said in an initial update: "There is a serious police incident currently ongoing at Ravens Point, Trearddur Bay, Anglesey. Members of the public are politely requested to leave / not to attend the area, as their presence is impeding the operation there. Thank you for your co-operation in this matter."

Huge search off Anglesey continues amid reports of 'person swept off rocks'
North Wales Police, the coastguard, the RNLI and mountain rescue teams are all involved in the operation which is focused on the water off Trearddur Bay

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/huge-search-anglesey-continues-amid-27423131