Two died off Anglesey on Saturday
- Thread starter AngusMcDoon
- Start date
Talbot
Well-Known Member
Holyhead Coastguard said there were force six weather conditions, with 1.5m waves at the time of the alert.
An RNLI spokesman said the family's vessel was not suitable for the weather conditions. At least they were wearing lifejackets
An RNLI spokesman said the family's vessel was not suitable for the weather conditions. At least they were wearing lifejackets
SteveGorst
Well-Known Member
It was one of those misleading days that had good conditions in the morning but the forecast was poor for the afternoon. I really feel for the family I can imagine how they'd been planning the trip and the grandfather didn't want to let his excited grandkids down. I overheard the call and rescue on the vhf on Saturday and everything possible was done for them very quickly, well done Star Reader.
My thoughts are with the survivors, especially the father.
My thoughts are with the survivors, especially the father.
ridgy
Well-Known Member
Very sad.
Quite a few years ago I chartered a fishing boat with some mates to go out off Anglesey. We weren't really there for the fishing, if you know what I mean, so come 1pm we were all pretty wrecked. One lad, Seth, didn't even bother getting his rod out, content to stand round with a bottle of scotch in one hand and a block of cheese in the other.
Anyway, the skipper gets a call about a capsized dinghy so we reel in and go off to investigate. We found the boat with a man clinging on for dear life. If this guy had been expecting a lifeboat to rescue him then he was in for some surreal disappointment.
As we approached, Seth lets out this cry of "Ahoy There Matey!" and getting closer someone asked him if the water was cold. I'd never seen mortal fear on a mans face before but this guy had clearly seen a future he didn't like. He was crying when we pulled him out prompting someone to thrust a can of beer in to his hand with a reassuring "this will cheer you up". When we landed him to a waiting ambulance one of the lads asked the skipper if he would get a refund for the lost "fishing" time.
Oh the joys of alcohol-fuelled youth.
Quite a few years ago I chartered a fishing boat with some mates to go out off Anglesey. We weren't really there for the fishing, if you know what I mean, so come 1pm we were all pretty wrecked. One lad, Seth, didn't even bother getting his rod out, content to stand round with a bottle of scotch in one hand and a block of cheese in the other.
Anyway, the skipper gets a call about a capsized dinghy so we reel in and go off to investigate. We found the boat with a man clinging on for dear life. If this guy had been expecting a lifeboat to rescue him then he was in for some surreal disappointment.
As we approached, Seth lets out this cry of "Ahoy There Matey!" and getting closer someone asked him if the water was cold. I'd never seen mortal fear on a mans face before but this guy had clearly seen a future he didn't like. He was crying when we pulled him out prompting someone to thrust a can of beer in to his hand with a reassuring "this will cheer you up". When we landed him to a waiting ambulance one of the lads asked the skipper if he would get a refund for the lost "fishing" time.
Oh the joys of alcohol-fuelled youth.
Landale
Well-Known Member
I'd agree it was a misleading day, going out for the afternoon from Aberystwyth - IIRC forcast was SE4-5 occ 6 around Angelsey.
Left berth about 3pm, as we went down passed St.David's quay the wind was on the nose at 18-19kts and we were doing 4kts throught water so 14-15kts wind. Experience told us that it would be an invigorating but comfortable afternoon.
Over the bar, a little bumpy but nothing special, although two small boats making a hasty run back in. Then headed out just off the wind and put up about 80% Genoa, oops.... luff up quick and shorten to 25-35 %... wind now a steady 29-30kts with the odd gust - went about and surfed back into the harbour.
Judgement of us both was that conditions were changing rather faster than was to be expected and even in my boat it had the prospect of becoming rather too interesting.
As you said well done Star Reader and my thoughts are with the family.
Left berth about 3pm, as we went down passed St.David's quay the wind was on the nose at 18-19kts and we were doing 4kts throught water so 14-15kts wind. Experience told us that it would be an invigorating but comfortable afternoon.
Over the bar, a little bumpy but nothing special, although two small boats making a hasty run back in. Then headed out just off the wind and put up about 80% Genoa, oops.... luff up quick and shorten to 25-35 %... wind now a steady 29-30kts with the odd gust - went about and surfed back into the harbour.
Judgement of us both was that conditions were changing rather faster than was to be expected and even in my boat it had the prospect of becoming rather too interesting.
As you said well done Star Reader and my thoughts are with the family.
colvic987
Well-Known Member
we were just getting on our boat at the gazelle at about 1600hrs, there was a succession of police and ambulance sirens, and sar helicopter, we didn't realise what was going on until next day, as you said the weather conditions were steadily picking up from about 1200 on saturday, with very strong gale force winds during the night of saturday, and supposed to be the same on sunday, we had the worst crossing we have ever had from the mooring to shore on sunday about midday, the report says they left conway, and the area was very sheltered in the morning as there were southerly winds, which would have left the bay sheltered.
You realise just how fickle the sea can be, when the conditions change, i am not sure if they were inexperienced or just not checked up and understood the weather, but i personally would not go to sea in a small boat like that , especially with four people, at least they all had lifejackets on, and if they had had a flare or vhf, they could have all been saved, and not been in the sea for so long..
Being in the water for three hours or so was the killer, and the vigilance of the starida fishing boat, was exceptional, or it could have been worse...
An adventure for the kids, which turned into a very harrowing accident, i feel really heart wrenchingly upset just thinking about what had happened and how we all love the enjoyment the sea gives to all in their chosen hobbies, be it diving sailing or fishing, and how in an instance all that enjoyment can be taken away..
let god bless the family in their coming to terms with their grief......
You realise just how fickle the sea can be, when the conditions change, i am not sure if they were inexperienced or just not checked up and understood the weather, but i personally would not go to sea in a small boat like that , especially with four people, at least they all had lifejackets on, and if they had had a flare or vhf, they could have all been saved, and not been in the sea for so long..
Being in the water for three hours or so was the killer, and the vigilance of the starida fishing boat, was exceptional, or it could have been worse...
An adventure for the kids, which turned into a very harrowing accident, i feel really heart wrenchingly upset just thinking about what had happened and how we all love the enjoyment the sea gives to all in their chosen hobbies, be it diving sailing or fishing, and how in an instance all that enjoyment can be taken away..
let god bless the family in their coming to terms with their grief......
ShipsWoofy
Well-Known Member
The saddest part is the fact that strong wind warnings were being given from Friday afternoon. They must have planned the trip as in a 14ft yacht it would be no mean feat in a F4. I would not have done it myself on our boat and was horrified when I saw the story unfold. We had been listening to rescue 122 (helo from valley) during the afternoon from Pwllheli.
We could not hear the lifeboats or mobile CG so it was hard to work out what was happening. Red Wharf Bay and the entrance at Puffin is no place for a small boat in those conditions, in fact it is no place for a big boat either.
My heart goes out to the family, what a horrible tragedy, I hope others learn from it and we do not see this again.
We could not hear the lifeboats or mobile CG so it was hard to work out what was happening. Red Wharf Bay and the entrance at Puffin is no place for a small boat in those conditions, in fact it is no place for a big boat either.
My heart goes out to the family, what a horrible tragedy, I hope others learn from it and we do not see this again.
aitchw
Well-Known Member
As a small sailing cruiser sailor myself an incident like this really has you sitting up and taking notice. After the initial shock and immediate wave of sympathy you feel for all involved you start to wonder if they were sailing or motoring, if sailing were they reefed down, were they maneouvering across the swell when they got hit and a host of other questions which would provide valuable lessons.
Up on Loch Torridon in my 16 footer I often think I'm being overly cautious but the truth is I don't think you can be.
A very, very sad event.
Up on Loch Torridon in my 16 footer I often think I'm being overly cautious but the truth is I don't think you can be.
A very, very sad event.
colvic987
Well-Known Member
There was very little sailing activity during the weekend, from our mooring we only saw a couple of sail training vessels, presumably just in the straits, and a couple of large motorboats within the straits....
