At 11.12am on Wednesday the 28 of December, 2011 volunteer crew members from the Criccieth RNLI lifeboat station were tasked to launch into rough seas following reports of a 14 foot sailing dinghy in severe difficulties between Borth y Gest and Portmeirion.
HM Coastguard had requested the launch of both the Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Doris Joan and Arancia inshore lifeboat, Margret a Nantw. Whilst the Atlantic 85 lifeboat navigated rough seas, the Arancia was towed by road to Borth y Gest to be launched in calmer conditions.
A concerned member of the public had raised the alarm after spotting the Scorpio, a double-handed 14 foot dinghy which had two occupants on board, capsize three times and struggle to return to shore.
The Arancia was first to arrive on scene and assist the relieved couple, who were cold but otherwise unharmed. The dinghy’s occupants were transferred to the Atlantic 85 which also towed the vessel back to Borth y Gest. Before leaving the scene, the lifeboat escorted the Porthmadog Sailing Club’s rescue boat back to shore which had also been in attendance.
Following the incident, Criccieth RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, Peter Williams commented: ‘Today’s incident demonstrates the difficulty of sailing in such conditions. The occupants of the dinghy were very relieved to see the lifeboats arrive. Given the conditions, it is also important to commend the crews of both boats on another successful rescue.’
