YC team award candidate: The Llandudno RNLI Lifeboat

Sep 5 2008 By Steve Stratford

Llandudno RNLI lifeboat

FOR nearly 145 years, lifeboat crews from Llandudno have been saving lives at sea, as well as inland during flooding, but this year these dedicated volunteers have pulled off two of their most difficult and dangerous rescues yet.

They put to sea in appalling conditions twice in two days in August to save a total of five people whose lives were at risk when their vessels experienced problems in dangerously rough seas.

On the first occasion, the all-weather lifeboat Andy Pearce was at sea for a total of 10 hours after a wooden hulled former fishing boat with three men on board got into trouble near the Rhyl Flats wind farm.

The lifeboat battled against 12ft high waves to tow the vessel safely into the Conwy estuary.

Less than 24 hours later the Andy Pearce was launched again to go to the aid of a terrified husband and wife whose yacht was floundering helplessly pounded by huge waves in a Force 8 storm 30 miles out into the Irish Sea.

A rope attached to marker buoys was entangled with the vessel’s propeller and steering gear. Without a thought for his own safety RNLI crew member Tim James was lowered into the sea at the yacht’s stern and attached to a safety harness, spent one a half hours in the icy sea trying to cut the rope free.

At times he was completely submerged by the waves and all the time he was at risk of the yacht crashing down on him with possibly fatal consequences.

Meanwhile the lifeboat crew under the command of deputy second coxswain Graham Heritage kept the lifeboat close by ready to swoop to his assistance if needed.

It was a rescue operation to match any in the annals of the long and illustrious career of Llandudno lifeboat station and these brave men were at sea for 12 hours until finally the yacht was escorted safely to its mooring at Conwy marina.

Such heroism and devotion to other human beings makes a welcome contrast from the tales of wanton vandalism and violence which often make up our daily fare. That is why the crew have been nominated for our Your Champions team award.