Two people found themselves adrift for several hours off the Gwynedd coast when their jet ski broke down. The jet ski was spotted drifting towards Criccieth Castle from Black Rock Sands beach (Morfa Bychan), despite being a considerable distance from the shore, it was still within sight of the mainland.
The Abersoch RNLI was called into action, deploying its inshore lifeboat to rescue the stranded individuals. The Atlantic 85 lifeboat team, in collaboration with a coastguard unit, successfully located and retrieved the pair. On board, the two individuals underwent medical checks, with the crew noting that both seemed medically stable but were starting to feel the effects of the cold after being adrift for hours due to tide and wind conditions.
Once safely back on land, the jet ski riders were handed over to a local coastguard team awaiting their arrival ashore. Volunteer helm at Abersoch RNLI, Andy Gunby, highlighted the importance of wearing appropriate safety gear, stating that although both casualties were wearing dry suits, only one was wearing a lifejacket. He stressed the necessity of wearing the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) for conditions, with lifejackets being essential alongside a means of calling for help.
Gunby further advised that those in distress should call for assistance early rather than risking entering the water or leaving their vessel, as individuals are harder to spot if they are in the water away from their craft. The incident took place on the evening of Saturday, September 21, serving as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to safety protocols when engaging in water activities.
For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox, readers can sign up for the newsletter. The Abersoch RNLI’s swift response emphasises the critical role that emergency services play in safeguarding individuals in distress at sea and underscores the significance of adhering to safety measures when partaking in water-based activities to prevent similar incidents in the future.