Both RNLI lifeboats at Rhyl look for sinking yacht. The all-weather lifeboat and then the inshore lifeboat were launched after Holyhead Coastguard received a distress alarm from an EPIRB (Electronic Position Indicating Radio Beacon) indicating a 34-foot yacht had sunk off Rhyl.
The RNLI lifeboats were launched and started a box search around the Rhyl area between Colwyn Bay and Prestatyn, as a few yachts had been sighted at these points earlier in the day.
The lifeboat volunteers used direction finding (DF) equipment, but nothing was heard. After about 90 minutes, the coxswain decided to try closer inshore and in Rhyl harbour, and the crew discovered a newly-acquired fishing boat submerged on a mooring in the harbour.
On approaching the boat, the DF provided a positive signal. The lifeboat crews checked out the boat which was leaking diesel into the harbour.
The local coastguard team located the owner who confirmed he had a yacht previously and the EPIRB was from it. With nothing more to do, and no lives in danger, the lifeboats returned to station at 5.45pm.
This incident highlights why boat owners should always make sure that any details of their emergency equipment should be updated if it is transferred to another vessel. The lifeboats were looking for a 34-foot yacht, when the boat the beacon was on was a fishing boat. Fortunately no lives were in danger on this occasion.
