Llandudno’s RNLI all-weather lifeboat ‘Andy Pearce’ was launched at 1p.m. on Sunday 2 May to go to the aid of a group of five jet skis whose riders had got into difficulties in an area of rough water and heavy swell off the Great Orme’s Head lighthouse.The jet skiers had set out earlier from Colwyn Bay.
One of the jet skis had sunk, leaving its rider in the sea, and a second machine, also with one man on board, had broken down. The remaining machines were still afloat close by.
The man in the water was immediately taken on board the lifeboat, where a medical assessment found he had ingested seawater and petrol fumes, and was extremely tired. As a result the RNLI Coxswain radioed Holyhead Coastguard to request an ambulance meet the lifeboat on her return.
Just after the RNLI lifeboat had begun her return passage to Llandudno, another of the jet skis capsized leaving more riders in the sea. Hearing the resulting cries for help the lifeboat crew returned to the scene, but by then the new casualties had been pulled aboard other jet skis.
After taking two broken down skis in tow, the ‘Andy Pearce’ returned to Llandudno’s North Shore where the original male casualty was handed into the care of the ambulance crew, who took him to hospital.
