#RNLI - Holyhead RNLI lifeboat volunteers' training turned into a real-life rescue last night after distress calls were heard from a boat carrying three men a baby in the Irish Sea.
At 6pm crew members were at the lifeboat station training when they heard a call for help over the VHF radio. They immediately raised the alarm by calling Holyhead Coastguard, who requested the launch of Holyhead RNLI's inshore lifeboat and asked the station's all weather lifeboat to be on standby.
The inshore lifeboat and its volunteer crew made their way to the Bolivar buoy near Carmel Head, where the 33ft Fairline motor vessel was at anchor and stuck fast.
On arrival, they called for the all-weather lifeboat to assist and Holyhead RNLI's Severn-class lifeboat made her way the scene.
After attempts to free the casualty vessel’s anchor, the anchor warp was severed by crew members to get the casualty vessel moving again, and a buoy was left as a marker before the vessel was towed to safety and delivered to Holyhead Marina.
There were four people on board the boat: three adults and a very young baby. All were unharmed.
Holyhead RNLI coxswain Brian Thomson said: "This call-out emphasised the importance of going to sea prepared – wearing correct lifejackets, having proper flares and safety equipment, knowing the waters into which you are going and knowing how to correctly use VHF radio."