At 6.20pm on Friday 7 October volunteer crew members from the Criccieth RNLI Lifeboat station were requested to assist in a search for a kite-surfer in difficulty near Black Rock Sands. A concerned member of the public who reported seeing the kite-surfer separated from his equipment and in difficulty.
Following the initial request to launch the station’s Atlantic 85 Class lifeboat, Doris Joan, a second request was received for the launch of the Arancia inshore lifeboat, Margaret and Nantw given the ebbing tide and the lifeboat’s near-shore searching capabilities.
As the Atlantic 85 began searching offshore from Black Rock, the smaller Arancia was towed and launched from Borth y Gest. HM Coastguard units searched the foreshore at Black Rock and Harlech. Shortly after the second boat’s launch, RAF Valley’s search and rescue helicopter joined the operation.
Initial searches by the Atlantic 85 lifeboat and helicopter had located the kite and board, but efforts to retrieve the casualty continued. After a lengthy and comprehensive search, it was to the great relief of all search and rescue units to learn that the surfer had been able to return ashore near Harlech.
Following the incident Peter Williams, Criccieth Lifeboat Operations Manager stated: ‘Calls such as this demonstrate the valuable commitment of the RNLI’s volunteers. With both lifeboats on scene quickly, HM Coastguard were confident in the knowledge that two skilled and well trained RNLI volunteer crews were able to conduct a thorough offshore search alongside the helicopter from RAF Valley.
‘Although the casualty was able to return ashore, it could well have been a different story and thanks must be given to the well-intentioned member of the public for raising the alarm.’
