The Arancia inshore rescue boat, which is on an extended evaluation trial at Criccieth was called into action on Tuesday night (15 September). The volunteer RNLI crew were called to assist two adults who required assistance on the salt marshes close to Portmeirion.
Paul Filby, Senior Helmsman at Criccieth says:
‘The volunteer RNLI crew were paged just before 6pm and it was decided to launch both the Arancia and the Atlantic 85 RNLI lifeboats. Both boats arrived on scene at the same time, although the Arancia was towed to Borth y Gest by Land Rover to launch. Also tasked were the local coastguard teams and 122 the SAR helicopter from RAF Valley.
The extensive search by both RNLI lifeboats, the coastguard and RAF resulted in the Coastguard finding the two adults near to Boston Lodge where they were escorted to safety.’
The coastguard had received other sightings from the public and the decision was taken to continue searching just in case other members of the public were in difficulties. The area of the sightings was searched and after two hours it was decided that the sightings must of been the same people. The lifeboat returned to station and was re fuelled and ready for service.
Criccieth is the first RNLI lifeboat station in the UK and Ireland to take delivery of an A-class inshore rescue boat. The RNLI has placed the Arancia craft at Criccieth on an extended evaluation trial to assess the boat’s capabilities. The charity will be monitoring its role in effecting rescues within the shallow estuarial waters of the Rivers Dwyryd and Glaslyn close to Porthmadog, North Wales.
Paul adds: ‘This service showed the ability of the Arancia in shallow waters and how invaluable it will be for similar scenarios.’
In August, the RNLI introduced the rescue boat as a reaction to the constantly changing conditions within the estuaries.
