HOLYHEAD lifeboat crews have been praised for their "skill and dedication" after helping a yacht stranded on rocks off the Anglesey coast

The 25-foot vessel, with two people on board, went aground on a rocky island, just off the Skerries, on Sunday, May 19.

Holyhead RNLI were tasked twice to help the stricken vessel stuck approximately two miles from the coast at Carmel Head.

According to an RNLI spokesperson, a call came in at 1.52pm, citing a craft caught on a rock in the Skerries lagoon at falling tide.

The all-weather lifeboat Christopher Pearce, carrying its volunteer crew, quickly headed to the area, but the vessel could not be moved due to the tide.

The RNLI 'Y-boat' was launched from the larger lifeboat to ensure the yacht crew were brought safely onto the lifeboat, and to check the condition and placing of the casualty vessel.

The lifeboat, with her crew and casualties then returned to shore, arriving back in Holyhead just after 5pm.

Holyhead's inshore lifeboat volunteers only managed to free the stranded yacht on Sunday evening, once the tides were suitable.

The crew were called out at 7pm to re-assemble to take the vessel’s owner back to his craft and to free her.

This time, the D-class inshore lifeboat Mary and Archie Hooper also launched to assist in the rescue, with the larger Severn-class lifeboat also attending for a second time.

On reaching the location, the inshore lifeboat was used to manoeuvre the casualty vessel into a safe position.

The crew waited for the vessel to rise with the flooding tide, she was then moved into deeper water so that it could be towed.

The Christopher Pearce returned the casualty vessel back to the mouth of Holyhead Harbour, escorted by the inshore lifeboat, which stood down and returned to station at approximately 11.15pm.

The all weather lifeboat pulled the stricken vessel to the mouth of the inner harbour and checked the yacht's propulsion before escorting her to Holyhead Marina, and then headed back to its berth at the port.

The lifeboat returned at approximately 12.15am, on Monday, and was refuelled and made ready for her next service.

Duty coxswain Craig Stalman said:

'It was unusual for us to be called out in such calm conditions, there was a big spring tide of eight knots running around the Skerries, and the crew all worked together to achieve a successful outcome.

"As we waited for the tide to rise, we were accompanied by dozens of seals who seems to be enjoying the spectacle.'

'The sailor had entered the lagoon successfully, but had taken the incorrect passage out."

Holyhead’s launch operations manager (LOM) David Owens said:

"It was a great team effort from all of the crew, who once again showed their immense skill and dedication.

"Thankfully, both the casualties and our volunteers all returned safely to shore after several hours at sea.

He added: "This incident shows how, even in calm weather, the tides can render even an experienced sailor helpless.

"Thankfully he had means of calling for help, and did the right thing in contacting the coastguard."