Beaumaris Lifeboat Services 2009         Map Map of Service Locations

20th November
18th November
  11th November at 15:20 - Puffin Island Area
A yacht on passage from Holyhead to Dickies (Bangor) hit an underwater object. Moelfre All Weather Lifeboat launched - the vessel was located and found to be taking on a small amount of water from the keel joint. Moelfre Lifeboat escorted the vessel to Puffin sound as a precautionary measure. Beaumaris Lifeboat took over escort from Moelfre Lifeboat at 15:35 and escorted the yacht to a mooring between Gallows Point and the Gazelle. The owner remained on board and the lifeboat returned to base.
Weather: SE F4
  11th November at 14:02 - Under Menai Suspension Bridge
A member of the public reported seeing a person walk out to one of the bases of the Menai Suspension Bridge and then get cut off by the incoming tide. The Lifeboat went out to the bridge, found two fishermen, picked up them up and took them ashore nearby.
Weather: SW2
  6th November at 11:40 - Bangor Pier
The Lifeboat was called out to stand by Bangor Pier as a woman was in contact by mobile phone and threatening suicide - her position reported as Bangor Pier car park.
After assistance was provided to the woman by professional care workers, she was persuaded to leave the scene. The Lifeboat was then released to return to the boat house.
Weather : SW force 5 - rain
  31st October 14.54 pm off Puffin Island
The Beaumaris Lifeboat crew were called out by the Coastguard to assist a broken down 24’ motorboat off the west of Puffin Island. The boat had fouled its propeller on a lobster pot and as a consequence suffered engine failure and was drifting towards the rocks. The Beaumaris Lifeboat towed the boat with the three male crew on board to Porth Daniel at Menai Bridge.
Weather: SSW F4
  31st October 06:29 Victoria Dock, Caernarfon‏
Holyhead Coastguard requested the Beaumaris Lifeboat stand by off Victoria Dock Caernarfon as a despondent male was on the dock wall. When the Lifeboat arrived the dock gates were still closed so a crew member was put ashore at the dock so as to be in a position to help should the casualty jump into the dock. Eventually a police negotiator persuaded the casualty, who it appeared had taken pills and alcohol, to get into an ambulance to be taken to Ysbyty Gwynedd.
  26th October at 23:39 - off Caernarfon Pier
Following a request from North Wales Police for the lifeboat to stand by off Caernarfon pier as a distressed woman was reported on the outside of the railings.
After the police helicopter arrived the lifeboat approached the pier but they could see no sign of the woman on the pier. The police helicopter crew located the woman amongst a group including police officers by the Gallery near the pier.
The lifeboat was released to return to station at 00:28
Weather: N Force 1
  24th October at 11:23 off Friars Bay
16' open fishing boat with 4 people on board encountered deteriorating weather conditions and started shipping water as it motored into a SW Force 6 off Friars Bay. They put out a MAYDAY radio call and the lifeboat was asked to assist by Holyhead Coastguard.
The Lifeboat quickly located the casualty and put a crewmember on board who commenced bailing. Once sufficient water had been removed the boat proceeded back to Beaumaris escorted by the ILB.
Weather SW Force 6
  15th October 5 miles out from Puffin Island
The lifeboat launched to assist a broken down yacht 5 miles off Puffin Island. The yacht, with two persons aboard, had suffered engine failure and was becalmed off the Island. The Lifeboat was called out by the Coastguard unit and towed the yacht to Beaumaris and placed it on a mooring.
4th October
 28th September 14:35 - Off Puffin Island
A report was received of a broken down motor boat off Puffin Island with 5 persons on board. The Lifeboat located the vessel 1/2 mile off the east end of Puffin Island and towed it back to the Porth Daniel yard at Menai Bridge.
Weather  SW Force 4
 26th September 10:42 - Menai Suspension Bridge
North Wales police requested the Lifeboat to stand by following a report of a person climbing onto the chains of the Menai suspension bridge. Shortly after the boat arrived, the person was taken into custody by North Wales police. Lifeboat returned to boathouse.
SW Force 2
 19th September 00:11 - In Belan Narrows
A 38' yacht with 3 persons on board suffered engine failure in Belan Narrows with the tide ebbing.
The lifeboat was called and towed the yacht back into the Strait but was too late to get the yacht into Victoria Dock so the casualty was towed to a mooring off Plas Menai and the crew taken ashore. The lifeboat returned to station at 03:15.
Weather W force 1
 18th September 22:01 Offf Menai Bridge
A member of the public reported seeing a number of young people entering the water by the Menai Suspension Bridge and swimming to the Bangor side. As they approached the Bangor side they appeared to be carried away by the current. By the time the lifeboat arrived (13 minutes later) they had regained the Anglesey shore. 2 anglers confirmed that all the swimmers (members of Bangor University Sub aqua club) were out of the water. The swimmers confirmed this. The lifeboat then returned to the boathouse.

Weather Flat Calm

15th September
13th September
 11th September - 18:49 off Penmaenmawr
Holyhead Coastguard received a report of a person clinging to a buoy off Penmaenmawr. The Auxiliary Coastguard team were deployed and spoke to the first informant and formed the view that it was a false alarm as the lifeboat arrived. The Lifeboat conducted a search of the vicinity, found nothing and then returned to station.

Weather NE F2

  5th September 12:12 Off Caernarfon
A yacht ran aground with 2 persons on board. The Costguard were concerned that the yacht would have to remain in position until 2300 when the weather forecast was SW 5-7. The ILB arrived at B6 as directed but were informed the yacht was off Waterloo Point, some 13 miles away. By the time the lifeboat arrived the yacht was well and truly aground and could not be refloated. The crew chose to stay on board so the lifeboat confirmed that they had put an anchor out and left the yacht to await the next tide.
Weather: SW Force 6
  31st August 16:00 - Menai Strait, Near B8
A boat fouled its propeller on a mooring in Beaumaris Bay then set off for Conway, but ran aground on a sandbank. After it refloated, the lifeboat was launched to make contact with the boat when it appeared to having difficulty making way. The lifeboat checked all was well and asked the boat occupants to turn on the VHF radio and stay in contact with Holyhead Coastguard until their safe arrival in Conway.

Weather: SW 6, Rain

24th August
 18th August 01:25 - On Traeth Lafan
17' open boat out fishing with 2 people on board suffered engine failure on a falling tide and called the Coastguard. The lifeboat launched to find the tide was falling quickly so the lifeboat stood off in 1.2m whilst a crew member walked in to the fishing boat. Having confirmed that there was sufficient water the lifeboat moved in and took the fishing boat under tow. The boat and occupants were then brought back to Beaumaris.

Weather SW 4
15th August 08:40 - Menai Strait off Plas Newydd
A 31' sailing yacht with two people on board lost rudder control, a second vessel with two people on board attempted to provide a tow but got a rope tangled round the propeller. The lifeboat launched and towed the second vessel to a mooring, then returned for the first yacht which was also towed to a mooring. The two people from the first yacht were taken ashore while the other two stayed with their yacht.
[Related News - Lifeboat crew rescue tangled yachts]

Weather: SW Force 6
11th August 14:36 - Puffin Island
21' Speedboat, with 7 people on board experienced electrical failure off Puffin Island and was unable to restart the engine. The vessel contacted Holyhead Coastguard who requested launch of the Lifeboat. The lifeboat located the speedboat but given the weather conditions, SW force 6, they transferred 3 adults and two small children to the Island Princess to be brought back to Beaumaris. The lifeboat towed the boat back to Beaumaris with 2 adults still on board. 

Weather SW Force 6
8th August
5th August 17:21‏ Puffin Island / The Swellies
Holyhead Coastguard requested assistance to a 19' power boat broken down off the east end of Puffin Island. Lifeboat located casualty and towed back to Beaumaris.
Diverted to:

Yacht reported on Platters - Lifeboat requested to attend as a precaution to ensure that there was no damage when the yacht refloated. Lifeboat stood by until the yacht refloated - which then proceeded on its way undamaged.

Weather SW 5/6
4th August
30th July
29th July
26th July
25th July, 21:46 The Swellies‏
8m cabin cruiser under Brittania Bridge put out a Mayday, believing that they had a fire on board. Tha Lifeboat attended and on arrival found black smoke coming from the boat. 5 of the 7 people on board were taken ashore. The smoke diminished and the hull was cool so the boat was towed to a mooring off Port Dinorwic - the last remaining persons on board were taken to Menai Bridge and the Lifeboat returned to station.

Weather - Fine, Light SW breeze.
19th July, 10:22 Off Indefatigable‏
Motorboat with cabin found drifting near Indefatigable Centre. Nobody onboard. Boat towed and placed on a mooring at Pwll Fannog. Lifeboat returned to station

Weather: Fine, Light SW breeze.
17th July 01:45am Menai Strait
The Beaumaris lifeboat was launched to a 5 metre open boat with outboard drifting as engine would not start.The boat was found off B8 with 3 local men on board, towed to Beaumaris slipway where it was recovered. The men who had been out fishing were safe and well.

Weather - rainy night NNW force 2
12th July 16:34 Abermenai
A motorboat with 4 adults and 5 children had gone to Abermenai for the day. The motorboat was anchored off Abermenai point and party went ashore. 2 adults then attempted to get back to anchored vessel in small dinghy, but outboard engine failed and they were unable to row against strong ebb tide and a wsw wind gusting force 7. Lifeboat assisted by Plas Menai Rib which was in vicinity, recovered 2 adults and dinghy, and ferried whole party onto the motorboat. The motorboat then proceded back to its mooring at Moel y Don, assisted to moor safely and entire party ferried ashore by ILB.

Weather WSW Force 7
11th July, 15:43, Off White Beach
Report received of a 17' white speedboat with 7 Persons on Board, including 4 children, suffering mechanical problems anchored off Penmon Point. The Lifeboat located the casualty off White Beach and towed back to Beaumaris.


Weather NW 2

10th July, 13:13 Capsized canoe in Swellies
Holyhead Coastguard received a report from a member of the public of an capsized canoe with children in the water, drifting into the Swellies. by the time the lifeboat arrived the canoe had been righted and all were back on board. The party was on of 4 canoes believed to be a group under instruction.

Weather SW4

1st July
30th June, 10:05 Bangor Pier
999 call to Holyhead Coastguard reported person in water under Bangor Pier - clinging to stanchions. Lifeboat located the casualty at 10:10 and took him initially to the slipway by the pier but, as there was a delay in the arrival of an ambulance, the boat had to relocate to Menai Bridge due to falling tide.
The casualty was handed over to ambulance at 10:50. [News article - Lifeboat plucks man to safety]

Weather NE 3
28th June
25th June
24th June, 20:38 - Menai Suspension Bridge
North Wales police requested the lifeboat to standby the Menai Suspension Bridge as person on structure, thought to be a potential jumper. NW police
took person into custody and lifeboat returned to station.

Weather SW 4

24th June,19:05 Off Caernarfon
A member of the public reported 2 teenagers in small inflatable
struggling with the tide at Caernarfon as they crossed from Waterloo Port to Traeth Gwyllt. The occupants were able to get safely ashore as the lifeboat arrived.

On the way back to the lifeboat station the lifeboat checked on a yacht "Cheater Cub" aground by Bangor Pier. All found to be under
control and left to re-float on rising tide.

Wind SW 4

22nd June, 06:40 In Swellies
3 peaks race entrant attempting to transit the Swellies at HW-4 grounded
on Swelly rock. Whilst lifeboat on route, the yacht freed itself from Swelly Rock and then went aground on the Platters.
The lifeboat stood by until the yacht began to float and then assisted
the boat off the rocks. Once afloat the yacht was escorted to Bangor
Pier prior to an underwater inspection by Dickies.
[Related News]
Weather SW 1
20th June, 17:15 off Penmon Lighthouse
Holyhead CG received a report of capsized sailing boat in Penmon sound. When the lifeboat arrived it was found to be a fishing boat and the occupamnts were not in any difficulty. Lifeboat returned to station.

Weather WNW F3

16th June 2009, 21:33 Bangor Pier to Britannia Bridge
North Wales Police requested a shoreline search for a missing lady whose car had been found near Bangor Pier. The shoreline was searched from Bangor Pier to the Britannia Bridge on both Gwynedd and Anglesey shores but nothing was found. The lifeboat was released as the light faded.

Weather SW Force 2

13th June 18:40 NE end of Menai Strait
Boat diverted to take over the tow from Llandudno lifeboat of a 37' clinker motorboat suffering from engine failure. Tow taken over at B2 and towed to visitors mooring in the Swatch opposite Beaumaris Pier.

Weather: SW Force 4
13th June 18:00 Off Caernarfon
Member of public made 999 call regarding person seen waving from sandbank off Caernarfon. On investigation it transpired the person was a canoeist waving to friends ashore.

Weather: SW Force 4
11th June 20:45 - The Swellies
Just as the Lifeboat was about to re-house, it was contacted and told there was a small vessel with 3 persons on board in the Swellies with engine failure. The Lifeboat speeded to the Swellies and on arrival found the vessel had managed to anchor in a very strong tidal flow but was without a working engine. A tow was established and the vessel was returned to its launching site, the Indefatigable slipway.

Weather: NE 1
11th June 18:15 - Beaumaris Bay
Shortly after launching on exercise, the lifeboat was alerted to a small motor boat that had run aground in Beaumaris Bay. The lifeboat went to assist the powerboat and attached a tow and in very shallow waters moved the boat into deeper waters. The lifeboat then continued on exercise.

Weather: NE 1
10th June 10:20pm - Beaumaris
A member of the public reported a yacht being stolen by two individuals just off Beaumaris Pier. The lifeboat launched with a member of the local constabulary. The people on board the boat were questioned and found to be the real owners and the lifeboat returned to station.

Weather: NE F2
4th June, 08:00pm - Llanfairfechan
A 999 call was received by the coastguard to say that an inflatable dinghy with three persons on board had drifted out to sea. The Beaumaris Lifeboat brought the three safely to shore in Llanfairfechan.
[Daily Post article - Teenagers rescued]
[North Wales Chronicle Article - Rescue]

Weather: Northerly Force 3
3rd June
29th May, 16:30 - Penmaenmawr
Holyhead Coastguard requested assistance to a broken down motorboat with 4 persons onboard reported off Penmaenmawr by mobile phone. Boat eventually found off the "Hoveringham" wreck. Boat towed back to Beaumaris slip by lifeboat.

Weather E Force 1 - Haze.
25th May, 11:36 Puffin Island
Report received of 7 meter sports boat with 5 persons on board with engine failure off Puffin Island. Lifeboat put crew member on board with salvage pump, pumped out vessel and towed back to Beaumaris.

Weather NNE Force 3
24th May
19th May
16th May, 05:09am The Swellies
Holyhead Coastguard received a report of 6 youths in an overloaded 12' Dory, no lifejackets and paddling with pieces of wood into the Swellies.
When lifeboat arrived the Dory was beached and 3 youths ran off and 3 were taken into the lifeboat. The Dory was towed in to Dinas boatyard.

Weather SSE 3
 9th May 14:42 Broken Down RIB in the Swellies
Report received from HM coastguard of broken down dinghy in Swellies. On arrival on scene it was found to be a 4m RIB with engine failure with 2 people on board. The RIB was towed in to Menai Bridge slip by the lifeboat.

Weather: South West Force 5
 7th May, 08:54 Overboard from yacht off Gazelle
Yachtsman was attempting to leave his moored yacht off the Gazelle and as he attempted to fit his outboard motor the wind caught his inflatable dinghy and flipped it. The casualty was thrown into the water and the was able to grab onto the yacht but was unable to reboard. The lifeboat was on scene within 10 minutes and recovered the casualty into the lifeboat. A remaining person left on board was then taken ashore and the dinghy sorted out by the lifeboat.

Weather: WSW Force 6
2nd May, 11:10, Off Dinmor Bank
Holyhead Coastguard requested launch to a motorboat having trouble starting its engine. Almost immediately the lifeboat launched the boat had managed to get the engine started, so at the Coastguard request, the lifeboat escorted the boat back to its launch site, with the boat suffering engine troubles several times on the way back.

Weather: South West Force 4
26th April 09:50 off Plas Newydd
Following a report from an off-duty Lifeboat crew member of a body in the Strait near Plas Newydd, HM coastguard requested that the Lifeboat be tasked to recover the body. The body was recovered and taken ashore to be handed over to North Wales police and Auxiliary Coastguard. [News article]

Weather ESE F2
26th April
 18th April 13:25 Puffin Island Area‏
Holyhead Coastguard heard a VHF call of "I am sinking" on the Great Orme aerial, bearing 262. An extensive search was undertaken but nothing found. Thought to be a hoax.

Weather: NE Force 4
17th April 03:08 pm The Swellies
A boat was reported to be in the Swellies with an engine fire. The Lifeboat was launched and reached the boat to find the boat was anchored and was smoking very badly due to a machinery failure. The lifeboat recovered the boat and its crew to Menai Bridge. [Daily Post Article]

Weather: Easterly Force 3
12th April 01:38 pm Menai Straits
Speedboat out of fuel in Swellies. Other craft attempted to tow but struggled in strong tide. Lifeboat took over tow and took in to Porth Daniel Slipway.

Weather: NE Force 3
11th April
8th April 08:06 pm Menai Straits
Holyhead Coastguard received a 999 call from a member of the public who thought that a Kayaker was struggling to get out of the Swellies. The Kayaker was located and found not to require any assistance - Lifeboat returned to station.

Weather: SSW Force 4
3rd April 02:05 am Caernarfon
Holyhead Coastguard requested attendance to a person climbing on the pier at Caernarfon, thought to be a possible suicide. North Wales police took person into custody soon after launch and the lifeboat was recalled.

Weather: W Force 1
7th March 05:09 pm Caernarfon
A member of the public reported seeing 2 windsurfers between Caernarfon and Plas Menai - one of whom seemed to be spending a worrying amount of time in the water giving rise to concern that he may be having difficulties.

The windsurfers were located by the lifeboat but found not to be in need of any assistance.

Weather: SW Force 6
26th February 09:25 am Menai Straits
Missing person reported. 35 year old male with history of suicide attempts. Lifeboat requested to search specific area in Menai Straits. Nothing found.

Weather: SW Force 1
26th February 03:55 pm Menai Straits
Renew search for missing person at low water same search area as earlier launch in the day. Nothing found. Lifeboat returned to station. [Related News Article]

Weather: SW Force 1
17th February 3:10 pm Menai Straits
Small powerboat suffered engine failure off Friars Bay. 999 call made to Holyhead Costguard. The Lifeboat was launched and towed powerboat back to Beaumaris.

Weather: SW 2
12th February 2:05 am Caernarfon
Holyhead Coastguard requested Beaumaris lifeboat launch after receiving a report of a red flare in the Caernarfon area. The area was searched and nothing found.

The Coastguard team found flare a cap in a car park near the location of sighting.
The lifeboat returned to station.

Weather: W 1
11th February 9:55 am Beaumaris Bay
A member of public reported a small boat drifting off Beaumaris. Discussed the situation with Holyhead Coastguard and decided that it was better to recover it while weather conditions were good, it was near the boathouse and the time was reasonable rather than risk a 999 call when the boat was remote for the station and other conditions were less favourable.

Weather: SSW 3
8th February 1:37 pm Aber Menai Point
Holyhead Coastguard received a 999 call from a member of public concerned at the erratic behaviour of a small craft near Aber Menai Point. The crew were reported to be wearing tee-shirts and with a brisk North Easterly breeze and temperatures near to freezing there was concern over the safety of the casualty crew.

The casualty was located by the Lifeboat and found to be a Duck punt.

The crew were wearing jackets and in no trouble. The lifeboat returned to station.

Weather: N/E 3
13th January 9:20 pm Penrhyn Dock
2 males reported fallen from a boat in Port Penrhyn. The lifeboat attended but there was insufficient water to get into the dock - police assisted casualties ashore - one taken into custody one hospitalised.

Weather: WSW Force 1