Services

At 16:30hrs the relief lifeboat The Lady Rank was launched to assist Beaumaris lifeboat to empty a volume of water from yacht Myfanwy which had hit a submerged rock off Pilot Cove Llanddwyn. After emptying the water from the yacht, she was towed to Caernarfon by Beaumaris lifeboat assisted by Porthdinllaen lifeboat. The Lady Rank then returned to station arriving at 21:00hrs.

29th April 2008

At 06:00hrs, The Lady Rank launched to resume the search for the missing fisherman who had gone overboard the previous day. The lifeboat searched from Porthdinllaen eastwards all day but there was no sign of the local fisherman. At 18:00hrs search was sadly called off by Holyhead Coastguard with the lifeboat being on service for a total of 17hrs searching. ALL OF OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH THE FAMILY OF THE FISHERMAN ON THIS TRAGIC ACCIDENT.

28th April 2008

At 16:45hrs the relief lifeboat The Lady Rank was launched to a report of a man overboard from a fishing vessel 2 miles north east of Trefor pier. Trearddur Bay lifeboat was also launched and Rescue 122 from RAF Valley was scrambled. Both lifeboats searched the area along with rescue 122 and the fishing vessel Osprey while mobile coastguards from Porthdinllaen & Llandwrog made shoreline searches. Later in the evening other vessels joined the search along with the North Wales Police helicopter but, due to fading light, the search was called off at 22:00hrs to be resumed at first light the following morning.

15th March 2008

At 14:44hrs, both the Station Boarding Boat and the relief lifeboat The Lady Rank were launched as a result of a report from the fishing vessel "Sea Quest" that there were 2 young persons marooned on the rocks while fishingby the incoming tide in Borthwen beach. Both lifeboats were on scene within minutes of launching the two persons were safely rescued by the boarding boat with both lifeboat returning to station shortly after 15:00hrs.

11 February 2008

At 10:14hrs Hetty Rampton launched to a report from fishing vessel Melissa that she had broken down with gearbox failure 6 miles north of Porthdinllaen. On arrival, a tow rope was attached and the Melissa was safely towed to Porthdinllaen to be put on a safe mooring. The lifeboat returned to station at 11:55hrs


Fishing vessel "Melissa"	under tow

23 January 2008

At 19:30hrs Hetty Rampton was launched again after a report that a 20yr old local man was in the water in the Nefyn area. Porthdinllaen Auxiliary Coastguard was again on the scene with the local police, after searching the area nothing was found yet again. The man was found by police in the same area as previous night. The lifeboat returned to station at 20:05hrs.

22 January 2008

At 00:22hrs Hetty Rampton was launched after a report of a 20yr old local man was in the water near Nefyn point.

The Porthdinllaen Auxiliary Coast Guard was also on scene with local police. The lifeboat searched the area from Nefyn to Porthdinllaen but nothing was found. At 01:15hrs Rescue 122 RAF Valley was tasked and as they searched the area they fortunately found the local man walking along the cliff top near Morfa Nefyn. The lifeboat returned to station at 02:05hrs

23rd September 2007

Hetty Rampton launched at 15.18hrs due to a report of a catamaran with mechanical failure near Trefor. On arrival it was found that the vessel was making way by sail, towards Clynnog Fawr. The lifeboat stood down and returned to station at 17:00hrs.

8th September 2007

At 12:12hrs Hetty Rampton launched to a report of missing divers at Porth Ysgaden but fortunately the divers were found and therefore Lifeboat stood down and returned to station at 12:35hrs

3rd September 2007

A day later at 15:39hrs Hetty Rampton was launched again after a report from yacht "Nena" that she had a fouled propeller close to Llanddwyn Island. Hetty Rampton arrived on the scene and took her under tow towards Caernarfon. Due to a falling tide, Beaumaris lifeboat had to be launched to take over tow from Fort Belan to Felinheli. The Lifeboat then returned to station arriving at 19:00hrs.


Yacht "Nena"	Under tow	Beuumaris Lifeboat takes over

2nd September 2007

At 13:49hrs Hetty Rampton launched after a report from fishing vessel "Independent" that they had a man overboard 7miles south west of Porthdinllaen and that he could be suffering from hypothermia and were trying to recover him themselves. Upon arrival at the scene, the casualty was transferred to the lifeboat and taken back to Porthdinllaen to be checked over by paramedics with the lifeboat returning to station at 15:30hrs

Fishing Vessel "Independant"

26th August 2007

On Bank Holiday Sunday, holiday makers were alerted by two loud bangs from the maroons that the lifeboat was due to launch. At 12:30hrs Hetty Rampton and the Station Boarding Boat were launched following a report from the station coxswain that a speedboat " Shatterproof" had become swamped off Porthdinllaen point and 4 persons were in the water and in severe danger. Both lifeboats were at scene within minutes but fortunately for the three men and one lady to them they were rescued by another boat user in the area of the incident. One person had to be airlifted to Bangor hospital suffering from shock. They were all very lucky that there were other boat users in the area. The lifeboat then towed the speedboat back to Lifeboat bay returning to station at 13:20hrs

"Shatterproof" back safely on Lifeboat Bay

11th August 2007

On a dreadful evening, in strong winds and lashings of rain Hetty Rampton launched at 19.42hrs.She was on her way to a Mayday call from a 40ft yacht called "Nauphanty" which had lost its steering just off the Menai Straits, close to Llanddwyn island, after attaching a rope, the yacht was towed to a safe berth at Caernarfon with the lifeboat returning to station at 23:05hrs. It was a little late for the acting coxswain to put his dinner jacket back on to resume festivities at the Nefyn Golf Club Centenary Dinner!

"Nauphanty" under tow

8th August 2007

At 21:21 Hetty Rampton was launched after a report from a yacht on passage to Aberystwyth (whilst attempting a around Britain challenge raising money for the RNLI) stating that they had picked up a 8ft sailing boat unmanned 10 miles north of Porthdinllaen. Upon arriving on scene, the sailing boat was transferred to the lifeboat, which returned to station at 23:05

4th August 2007

At 10:28hrs Hetty Rampton was launched after a mobile phone call to Holyhead Coastguard from some persons in Manchester saying that 3 of their friends had broken down in a 20 ft fishing boat and were clinging on to a lobster pot close to Trefor pier. On arrival, the boat was taken in tow to Trefor to meet up with Llandwrog Mobile Coastguard. The Lifeboat returned to station at 12:02hrs.


Casualty found	Taken under tow	Safely under way

24th July 2007

At 12:27hrs Hetty Rampton was launched after a report that a 30ft fishing vessel named "Girl Helen" had suffered mechanical failure 4 miles south of Llanddwyn. After attaching a tow line, the vessel was towed to Caernarfon to be put on a safe mooring at 14:30hrs. The lifeboat returned to station at 16:00hrs


"Girl Helen" adrift --	--and under tow

7th July 2007

At 14:07hrs ( 2 x 7:07 on the 7th of the 7th 2007!) Hetty Rampton was requested to launch after a report of a missing diver in Porth Ysgaden bay. However, as the crew turned up at station, the launch was cancelled as the diver was found safe & well. A lucky day all round!

5th May 2007

At 03:09hrs Hetty Rampton was launched after a report that a 40ft yacht called "Zada" had suffered engine failure 31miles west of Porthdinllaen, whilst on passage from Gibraltar to Liverpool. After arriving on scene at 05:15hrs Zada was taken in tow. At 09:30hrs Holyhead Lifeboat took over the tow to be taken to Holyhead harbour. Porthdinllaen lifeboat returned to station at 10:20hrs.

These three photos were taken by the Holyhead lifeboat.

20th November 2006

Yacht "Aoife" safe on the RNLI mooring in Porthdinllaen bay

At 17:08hrs Hetty Rampton was launched into atrocious weather conditions when the yacht AOIFE had lost his mast off Porth Colmon while on passage from Liverpool to Pwllheli. Hetty Rampton then escorted the yacht into Porthdinllaen to be put on a safe mooring with the lifeboat returning to station at 20:02hrs.

11th November 2006

At 15:33hrs Hetty Rampton was requested to launch to assist a broken down jet ski in Porthdinllaen Bay. When the crew arrived in the boathouse, the launch was cancelled as the casualty was safely ashore.

26th October 2006

At 06:17hrs Hetty Rampton launched to assist a 32ft yacht called "Totally Irrelivent" which was dragging a mooring in the bay after attaching a tow line she was put safely on the lifeboat mooring lifeboat returned to station at 07:22hrs

17th September 2006

At 17:55hrs the Lifeboat was launched after a report of a missing angler off Braich y Pwll, Aberdaron. The Abersoch lifeboat was tasked together with Rescue 122 RAF Valley. After searching close inshore from Porth Ysgaden down to Braich y Pwll and the Abersoch lifeboat searching the other side of the peninsula, nothing was found. Hetty Rampton then stood down returning to station at 20:22hrs.

16th September 2006

At 19:44hrs Hetty Rampton launched after a report of a vessel flashing their lights in distress, 1 mile west of Porthdinllaen. The lifeboat searched the area but nothing was found, it turned out to be a false alarm. The lifeboat stood down and returned to station at 21:03hrs.

29th August 2006

At 20:46hrs Hetty Rampton launched to a report that a rib was drifting off Nefyn point. However it turned out that the occupants of the rib were fishing and in no danger. The lifeboat returned to station at 21:15hrs.

27th August 2006

At 14:28hrs the Station boarding boat was launched to assist a speedboat that had broken down off Porthdinllaen point. The casualty was towed ashore and the boarding boat returned to station at 15:05hrs.

13th August 2006

At 08:37hrs, the Station boarding boat was launched after a report that yacht "Idle Thoughts" (see below) had broken loose off the Lifeboat mooring and had come aground on the beach. The station boarding boat again towed the yacht to a safe mooring in the bay. The boarding boat returned to station at 10:00hrs in time for the crew to attend the Annual Sea Service in the local church.

12th August 2006

At 22:36hrs The Lifeboat was launched after a report that a yacht called "Idle Thoughts" was dragging his anchor in Porthdinllaen bay and had no power. "Hetty Rampton" was on the scene within minutes of launching and "Idle Thoughts" and her crew were towed on to a safe mooring The Lifeboat returned to station at 00:00hrs

31July 2006

At 14:09hrs hetty Rampton was requested to launch to assist a broken down jet-ski in Nefyn bay. When the crew arrived at the boathouse launch was abandoned as the jet-ski was seen being towed safely ashore by another vessel.

30th July 2006

Hetty Rampton launched at 11:18hrs, after a report of 2 missing divers near Porthysgaden. Upon arrival, fortunately, the divers had been found and were returned to their own craft. The Lifeboat returned to station at 12:30hrs.

29th July 2006

At 12:45hrs Hetty Rampton launched to assist a trimaran "Tardiz" with mechanical problems off Llanddwyn Island, Anglesey. After attaching a tow line she was towed to Porthdinllaen to be put on a safe mooring. The Lifeboat returned to station at 18:00hrs.

25th July 2006

At 21:57hrs Hetty Rampton was launched for the second time in a day after a report of a small dinghy drifting in Bardsey Sound. After making the 12 mile journey and searching the area for nearly two hours nothing was sighted. It had turned out to be a false alarm and the Lifeboat returned to station at 02:00hrs.

25th July 2006

At 10:22hrs Hetty Rampton launched after a report of a young child being swept out to sea near Porth Ysgaden beach. rescue 122 from RAF Valley was also tasked to join in the search. Upon arrival it was found that the child had been helped ashore by another swimmer. The Lifeboat returned to station at 11:15hrs.

23rd July 2006

At 19:53hrs the crew were summoned by their pagers to launch Hetty Rampton but fortunately it turned out to be a false alarm.

10th July 2006

At 13:44hrs Hetty Rampton was launched after a report of a speed boat broken down off Tywyn beach. After arriving on the scene, the speedboat was towed to Porth Ysgaden where the speed boat was originally launched. Hetty Rampton returned to station at 15:40hrs.

9th July 2006

At 02:14hrs Hetty Rampton launched in aid of a swimmer who had been swept out to sea at Llanddwyn Island on Anglesey. The local police and local mobile coastguard with Beaumaris Lifeboat were also tasked to the scene to start searching for the missing swimmer. When daylight broke, Helicopter Rescue 122 was scrambled to start searching. Luckily for every one the swimmer was found safe and the lifeboat returned to station at 05:00hrs

2nd July 2006

At 18:45hrs Hetty Rampton was launched to assist a broken down RIB off Trefor. On arrival the scene, the rib was being towed by another vessel, therefore, lifeboat assistant was not needed and the lifeboat returned to station at 20:15hrs.

26 June 2006

At 13:13hrs Hetty Rampton was launched after a report of a yacht with engine failure 10miles north east of Porthdinllaen. After arriving at the scene, the casualty "Lady Jane" was towed to Caernarfon to be put on a safe mooring. The lifeboat returned to station at 16:20hrs.

The " Lady Jane" being towed by Hetty Rampton back to Caernarfon

18th June 2006

At 03:00hrs, just 30 minutes after arriving back on station, Hetty Rampton and her very tired crew launched again after receiving a call from one of the paramedics saying that a red flare was sighted off Nant Gwrtheyrn. After searching the area for over a hour nothing was found and the lifeboat stood down and returned to station at 04:35hrs.

17th June 2006

At 23:11hrs Hetty Rampton was launched after the yacht "Summer Lead" had put out a Mayday call 12 miles north west of Porthdinllaen. After arriving on scene the yacht was towed back to Porthdinllaen to an awaiting ambulance as the owner of the yacht was suffering from health problems. The lifeboat arrived back at station at 02:30hrs.

Yacht "Summer Lead" safe on the RNLI mooring in Porthdinllaen bay.

27 May 2006

At 21:02hrs, Hetty Rampton was launched to a report of a broken down speed boat off Gyrn Goch. After the lifeboat was launched the coxswain was notified that the casualty had rowed ashore. There was no need for any assistance and the lifeboat returned to station shortly before 21:30hrs.

18th May 2006

At 01:46hrs relief lifeboat Owen & Ann Aisher was launched after a report that there was a 18mtrs fishing vessel called Euroglydon with fouled propeller 11miles north of Porthdinllaen. On arrival nothing was found and it turned out that the casualty was 13miles west of Porthdinllaen! The lifeboat battled along through atrocious weather conditions to the exact location, arriving shortly before 4.00am. At 04:15 casualty was in tow towards Holyhead. At 06:15hrs the Holyhead lifeboat took over the tow and took her into Holyhead harbour, shortly after 10:00hrs. Porthdinllaen lifeboat returned to station at 07:30hrs with a very tired crew.

Holyhead Lifeboat towing the Fishing vessel "Euroglydon"

16th May 2006

At 14:13hrs the Station boarding boat was launched after a report of a small craft broken down in Porthdinllaen bay. The casualty was rescued and then towed ashore

4th May 2006

At 14:50hrs the relief lifeboat Owen & Ann Aisher was launched to assist a 17ft fishing boat which had broken down off Clynnog Fawr. The casualty was then towed to Trefor harbour. The lifeboat returned to station at 16:15hrs.

1st May 2006 - "Star Gazer"

At 09:36hrs relief lifeboat Owen & Ann Aisher was launched to assist the yacht "Star Gazer" with fouled propeller off Llanddwyn Island, Anglesey. Trearddur Bay lifeboat was also on the scene for observation due to the weather conditions. Porthdinllaen lifeboat took the casualty in tow to Caernarfon to be put on a safe berth, The Porthdinllaen lifeboat returned to station at 13:30 hrs.

23rd April 2006

At 17:47hrs the relief lifeboat Owen &Ann Aisher was again launched to assist the vessel Boy James & Sausea Gal who had run aground due to their anchor dragging after being rescued the previous night and being towed to the safety ofPorthdinllaen bay. Both vessels were towed into deeper water's then they set course to Pwllheli. The lifeboat returning to mooring at 18:30 hrs .... ( note - we understand that the Pwllheli lifeboat was called out again to these vessels on the same evening......)

22nd April 2006 see also ( http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/4953730.stm )

At 22:18hrs the relief lifeboat Owen & Ann Aisher was launched after a report that the Boy James was taking in water 2 miles west of Porth Ygaden. This was the second time the Porthdinllaen lifeboat had to rescue this boat, the last time being on August 7th 2005. On arrival at the scene the crew realised that the Boy James was actually towing another vessel ( Sausea Gal) Both vessels were towed to Porthdinllaen whilst trying to pump the volume of water out of the Boy James. Both vessels and crew were safely ashore at Porthdinllaen at 01:45 hrs.

The Boy James and Sausea Gal beached after the rescue.

20th April 2006

At 16:34hrs, the Station boarding boat was launched to a 14ft rib which had engine failure 1 mile west of station.

31st December 2005

At 15:12hrs the Station Boarding Boat was launched to assist a kite surfer who had ditched into the sea off Nefyn point. After locating the kite there was no sight of the occupant therefore HMCG informed the the boathouse to launch "Hetty Rampton", after launching the lifeboat kite surfer contacte HMCG to report that he was safely ashore. Both lifeboats returned to station at 15:45 hrs - Happy New Year to all our readers from the crew of the Porthdinllaen Lifeboat

10th December 2005

At 19:05hrs the Hetty Rampton launched to a report of a fishing vessel sinking off Caernarfon Bar. The lifeboat was joined by Trearddur Bay lifeboat and a rescue helicopter from RAF Valley. Whilst on the scene, the lifeboat had to use their salvage pump to empty the volume of water which the casualty had taken onboard while the 2 occupants were lifted to Bangor hospital suffering from hypothermia. Porthdinllaen lifeboat then started the long journey home, towing the fishing vessel and arriving in Porthdinllaen at 23:45hrs.

A sad end but the crew were safely rescued.

26th September 2005

At 11:40hrs Hetty Rampton was launched after a report that a yacht had sunk in heavy seas off Trefor. Upon arriving on scene the lifeboat made a through search of the area and was joined by Helicopter Rescue 122 from RAF Valley but nothing was found. While still searching the area the lifeboat picked up an echo on the radar and asked Rescue 122 to investigate. Fortunately for all, the yacht was found safe in Caernarfon bar. The lifeboat returned to station at 14:00hrs.

20th August 2005

Boy James

Hetty Rampton was launched at 19:50hrs after a report that a fishing boat Boy James had broken down off Dinas Dinlle. The lifeboat arrived on scene within 30 minutes and then towed the vessel to Caernarfon. The lifeboat returned to station just before 23:00 and the crew made it for last orders at the annual beach barbeque and party with Llanberis band, Cajun Denbo, at Ty Coch. Everyone who attended had thoroughly enjoyed the night except the crew! The crew that night did manage last orders at the bar and were given a bottle by the webmaster that he had won in the raffle as a nightcap !!! Cheers !!

17th August 2005

At 18:05hrs the lifeboat launched after a report of that two children were swept out to sea off Porth Iago in a small dinghy, They were lucky that a passing boat picked them up and therefore lifeboat assistancewas not needed. The lifeboat returned to station at 18:30hrs.

7th August 2005

At 11:20 the Hetty Rampton launched after a Mayday call that a 20ft fishing boat had broken down and was taking in water off Trefor. Having arrived on scene, the boat was towed to Trefor with the lifeboat returning to station at13:00

Later that day, whilst out on exercise during the annual open day, HMCG asked the lifeboat to assist four men fishing off Dinas Dinlle. The lifeboat arrived on scene within 20minutes. The lifeboat then returned to station at 16:20hrs. While the lifeboat was answering the call at Dinas Dinlle the Station's boarding boat was asked to assist a small dinghy who had a fouled propeller off Porthdinllaen point.

Altogether, a very busy day for the Porthdinllaen lifeboat !

3rd August 2005

At 13:30 Hetty Rampton launched after HMCG received a 999 call saying that three persons had been swept out to sea off Porthdinllaen beach in a very small dinghy. The lifeboat arrived on scene within five minutes. After recovering the casualty, the lifeboat returned to station shortly after 14:00hrs with the occupants on board.

30th July 2005

At 23:40hrs the lifeboat launched as a result a report that a red flare had been fired in the vicinity Porth Ysgaden. After searching the area, nothing was found, it was assumed that it had been fired from ashore. The lifeboat returning to station at 01:30hrs

27th July 2005

At 13:40 Hetty Rampton was launched after a report that two children had capzised in their small dinghy and had been swept out to sea off Dinas Dinlle. Shortly after launching, the childeren were rescued by another boat and taken ashore then there was no need for lifeboat assistance, the lifeboat returning to station shortly before 14:00

26th July 2005

At 15:30hrs the crew were summoned on their pagers to launch the lifeboat, but, as they raced down to the station, HMCG had informed the boathouse that the casualty was safely ashore at Morfa Nefyn beach so there was no need for any assistant by the lifeboat.

7th July 2005

HMCG received a 999 call from a member of the public saying that a light aircraft had ditched into the sea at Dinas Dinlle. The Hetty Rampton was launched at 11:30hrs together with the Lifeboat from Trearddur Bay. After both lifeboats searched the area, nothing was found, it turned out to be a false alarm, the lifeboat returning to station at 13:45hrs

1st July 2005

At 16:10hrs the Lifeboat was launched after a report that a small craft had broken down in Caernarfon Bar. The Lifeboat arrived on scene within the hour and after attaching a tow line they towed the craft to Trefor. The Lifeboat returned to station at 19:00hrs.

26th June 2005

At 19:23hrs Hetty Rampton was launched after HMCG received a mayday call off Whistling Sands that a yacht was sinking. After arriving on scene there was nothing to be found so the lifeboat searched the area for 2hrs, again nothing was found, HMCG then called off the search with the lifeboat returning to station at 21:45hrs. The call unfortunately turned out to be a false alarm

9th June 2005

At 20:20 the lifeboat launched after a Mayday call from a fishing vessel reported to be sinking off Bardsey. Before the lifeboat reached the vessel, helicopter rescue 122, from RAF Valley had picked up the crew of 4, therefore the lifeboat could only standby watching, as the vessel sadly went underneath the waves. The lifeboat returned to station at 10:30

8th June 2005

At 00:15 Hetty Rampton launched to assist a 60ft ketch yacht who had a fouled propeller 6mls north west of Bardsey after attaching a tow line, the lifeboat started the long journey home arriving back at Porthdinllaen shortly after 04:00

2nd June 2005

At 13.45 the Lifeboat launched to assist a yacht which was dragging its anchor in Porthdinllaen bay. After securing the yacht to a safe mooring, the lifeboat returned to the station, shortly after 14.00hrs.

30th May 2005

At 12.45 "Hetty Rampton" launched to assist 2 day fishing boats which had broken down one and a half miles north of Trefor pier. The lifeboat safely towed both boats to Trefor and returned to station shortly after 2.00pm.

25th May 2005

The first "shout" of 2005!

At 17:15 the Lifeboat launched to assist a 10ft dinghy which was in difficulty off Nefyn bay. The lifeboat was on the scene within 10 minutes and returned to station shortly after 17.30hrs with the casualty on board.

24th October 2004

At 15:32 the Lifeboat launched to assist a windsurfer who had difficulties off Porth Ysgaden The Lifeboat returned to station shortly after 16:30 with the casualty on board.

29th August 2004

At 13.03hrs the "Hetty Rampton" was launched in a brisk ( Force 5 - 6) SW breeze as a result of a report that a light aircraft had ditched into the sea 5 miles south of Bardsey Island.

The lifeboat searched the area along with the Pwllheli and Abersoch lifeboats which had also been called to the scene. They were also joined by an RAF helicopter but after 2 hours HM Coastguard called off the search. Nothing had been found and it had to be assumed a false alarm given with good intent.

"Hetty Rampton" returned safely to station at 17.30hrs

20th August 2004

When the Coastguard was informed of a yacht dragging her anchor in Porthdinllaen bay they requested a Lifeboat launch. Unfortunately the "Hetty Rampton" could not reach the yacht due to shallow waters so the crew performed a beach rescue together with the Coastguard team and successfully recovered the occupants of the vessel at 15.00hrs.

18th August 2004

At 08.44 "Hetty Rampton" launched in a South East force 7 to 8 after HMCG received a Mayday call from the yacht Camelot which was in trouble off Caernarfon Bar. When the lifeboat arrived at the scene, Helicopter Rescue 122 from RAF Valley was already there for observation purposes. The skipper of the yacht thought it had lost it's steering and rudder, however this turned out to be a false alarm and the lifeboat escorted the yacht to Porthdinllaen, returning to station at 12.00pm

15th July 2004

At 17.22 the Lifeboat launched to assist a yacht which had engine failure 4 miles north of Bardsey Island. The "Hetty Rampton" arrived on the scene within 40mins and towed the yacht back safely to Porthdinllaen to be put on a mooring. The Lifeboat returned to station at 20.05

14th July 2004

At 10.14hrs the "Hetty Rampton" launched to assist a 40ft Sunseeker with fuel problems. She was located 4 miles North of the station. On arrival a towing rope was attached and the vessel was towed back to a safe mooring in Porthdinllaen.

11th July 2004

The Lifeboat was launched at 12.50 to recover the fishing boat "Isabella" who had engine problems whilst on a fishing trip in Caernarfon bay. She was towed back from Bird Rock to her mooring in Nefyn.

14th June 2004

At 00.20am Hetty Rampton was launched after a report that a yacht was dragging its anchor in Porthdinllean bay. The lifeboat found the casualty within 5 minutes and, after ascertaining that there were no persons on board, towed it to a safe mooring. The lifeboat returned to station at 01.15hrs

Later the same day at 14.30pm Hetty Rampton launched again following a report that a small cabin cruiser was having difficulty with fuel problems off Bardsey Island. The Lifeboat arrived on the scene within the hour and towed the boat safely back to Porthdinllaen and the Lifeboat returned to station again at 17.30hrs.

The casualty on this occasion was Geoff Evans skipper of "Pippa" You can click here to read his interesting account of the incident.

17th February 2004

At 19.25hrs the crew were summoned by their pagers to launch the Hetty Rampton to assist a 10 metre fishing vessel " Challenger", 4 miles west of Bardsey Island. The lifeboat sped at full speed, arriving at the scene within the hour. After managing to get a tow rope onto the Hetty Rampton, the "Challenger" was towed back to Porthdinllaen, arriving shortly after 23.00hrs. The vessel was put on a mooring and the lifeboat was re-housed at 23.30 hrs.

Later on Saturday August 9th

After escorting October day to Porthdinllaen, the Hetty Rampton had to assist another vessel off Porth Ysgaden which was lost in dense fog. However it turned out that the boats last position was 6 miles west of Trefor. after arriving at the position Holyhead Coastguard asked the lifeboat to make a parallel search from Caernarfon to Porthdinllaen. At 21.55hrs the casualty was found off Penrhyn Cwmistir with two persons on board. The lifeboat returned to station at 22.20hrs.

Saturday 9th August

At 18.30hrs the lifeboat launched to assist a boat called October day inthick fog and zero visibility off Trefor. The lifeboat, using RDF equipment quickly found the boat and escorted her to Porthdinllaen at 19.30hrs.

Thursday 8th August

At 18.15hrs the lifeboat was launched in dense fog and zero visibility to assist a 15ft boat with two persons on board which had lost their bearings off Nant Gwytheyrn. The crew of the lifeboat had to use the Radar and VHF Direction fining equipment to locate the casualty. After arriving on the scene the casualty was escorted to Trefor where it was safely beached at 19.00hrs with the lifeboat returning to station at 19.20hrs.

Wednesday 6th August

The lifeboat was launched after reports of a speedboat drifting towards rocks off Nefyn point. Another local boat ( skippered by the webmaster ) was in the vicinity and was able to assist so the Hetty Rampton was quickly returned to station.

Thursday 31st July 2003

At 11.50hrs the lifeboat was launched to assist a 22ft boat off Nefyn point which had broken loose from its moorings. Fortunately, no one was on board and the boat was towed to safe shelter at Nefyn before securing to another mooring

Monday July 21st.

At 13.22 the Stations boarding boat was launched after a report that a boat was in trouble and that one man was in the sea off Porthdinllaen point. The boarding boat was soon on the scene, the man was rescued and the boat was towed to the harbour. Fortunately no one needed medical assistance.

Sunday 20th July

At 13.03hrs "Hetty Rampton" was launched to assist a 14ft sailing dinghy which had capsized 3/4 mile off Trefor pier throwing 3 persons into the sea. On arrival the lifeboat rescued 2 persons from the water and the helicopter from RAF Valley picked up the third, who was suffering from hypothermia, and airlifted the to Bangor Hospital. The lifeboat returned to station shortly after 14.30

Saturday 19th July

At 16.20 the lifeboat was launched to assist a local fishing boat which had gearbox problems half a mile to the west of the Station.

Saturday 5th July

The lifeboat launched at 20.55 to assist the yacht "Amity" which had run out of fuel off Tudweiliog. Relief cox Malcolm Gray of St. Davids was in charge of the rescue and guided the "Hetty Rampton" to the casualty within 20 mins of launching. The yacht was towed back to Porthdinllaen and put on a mooring at 22.00hrs. The webmaster was not on board the casualty !

Friday 4th July 2003

At 16.30 "Hetty Rampton" was launched to a yacht situated 13 miles South west of Bardsey with engine failure. The lifeboat arrived on the scene 2 hrs later at a distance of 26miles from Porthdinllaen. After attaching a tow rope the casualty was towed back to Porthdinllaen arriving at 22.30 hrs

Monday 26th May 2003

"The Famous Grouse" answered a call from 4 men in a speedboat with engine trouble off Trefor at 14.30hrs. They were towed back to safety in Trefor.

Saturday 17th May 2003

Whelk Come Back

The Porthdinllaen Lifeboat was launched just before lunchtime to assist a very red faced local fisherman along with his son, who were suffering from engine failure about 4 miles to the north of Porthdinllaen. They were towed to the safety of their mooring.

Saturday 3rd May 2003

At 20.56hrs the Famous Grouse launched to aid a yacht, with 5 persons on board, just a few hundred yards from the boathouse, that was dragging her moorings.

Friday 25th April

At 19.33hrs The Porthdinllaen lifeboat launched to assist a swimmer swept out to sea off Penlech Beach near Porth Colmon. Together with the Porthdinllaen Coastguard team and helicopter Rescue 122 from RAF Valley. On arrival the swimmer was helped back to shore by a colleague but unfortunately later passed away in Bangor hospital.

Wednesday 16th April 2003

The lifeboat was launched at 14.18hrs to aid a small10ft sailing dinghy off Nefyn beach.

Monday 14th April 2003

At 18.45 the Porthdinllaen Lifeboat was launched together with a Seaking Helicopter (rescue 122 RAF Valley) after Holyhead Coastguard received a Mayday call from a 26ft yacht "Lucky Jim" located to the north of Bardsey Island. There were two persons on board suffering from seasickness. The men were transferred to the "Famous Grouse" who then towed the yacht back to Porthdinllaen to be tied up on a mooring.

Sunday 2nd March 2003.

At 15.32hrsthe Lifeboat was launched to aid a small craft at Trefor. The lifeboat towed the vessel into Trefor harbour, returning to station at 16.45hrs.

On Wednesday 12th February 2003, the crew were on a routine training exercise in the relief boat "The Famous Grouse" when they received a call that a 50ft ketch the "Vilma", who was on passage to Cardiff with a Millenium Stone, had broken down with gearbox problems. She was towed into the bay at Porthdinllaen where she lay for a couple of days before being towed back to Port Penrhyn.

Yacht "VILMA" in the bay at PY preparing to be towed back to Port Penrhyn, click to enlarge ( photo - courtesy of Mrs.B.Webley)

Visitors to this site may find interesting the following account of one of the Porthdinllaen Lifeboats most famous and harrowing services of recent years.

Marker Buoy of the wreck of the "KIMYA"

On January 6th 1991 the Porthdinllaen Lifeboat, the Hetty Rampton, was launched at 02.28hrs. after the Maltese tanker Kimya, with a crew of 12, developed a 45 degree list, 20 miles south of the South Stack Light on Anglesey and her crew had to put out a MAYDAY call.

Conditions were absolutely appalling, with mountainous seas, a very strong ebb tide, a 30ft swell and storm force 10 winds.

On rounding Porthdinllaen point, Coxswain / Mechanic Jones set course for the reported position of the tanker with all the lifeboat crew strapped into the seats, the engines were put at full speed. However, the conditions were so bad that the Hetty Rampton was only able to make headway at about 8 knots.

A distress flare was eventually sighted dead ahead and the lifeboat men gallantly battled on, the Hetty Rampton taking a fearful battering.

When they reached the reported position of the tanker at 03.45hrs. they found another tanker, the Shelltrans, on the scene. There was no sign of the Kimya and it was soon realised that she had in fact capsized.

A helicopter arrived overhead at 04.00hrs. and her crew picked up 2 survivors.

During the next hour the Hetty Rampton made a thorough search of the area and 3 bodies were found in the water and recovered, under extremely difficult conditions. a fourth body was spotted but as attempts were being made to recover it, the life-jackets straps broke and the body slipped beneath the waves.

The Porthdinllaen and Holyhead Lifeboats, together with two helicopters continued to search right through the morning, the upturned hull of the Kimya and 2 empty ships lifeboats being found, but, sadly, no more survivors. the Porthdinllaen lifeboat men picked up another body at 13.10hrs and the search was eventually called off at 14.00 hrs. with the Hetty Rampton returning to her station at 14.30hrs, the four bodies being handed over to the local police.

The Director of the R.N.L.I., Lt Commdr.Brian Miles, sent a Letter of Appreciation to the Coxswain/Mechanic Peter Jones and all the crew of the Hetty Rampton on this service, Second Coxswain G Roberts, Assistant Mechanic K.B.Jones and crew members J.Hughes, R.W.Jones and D.P.Thomas, thanking them for their excellent seamanship and dedication during this long, arduous and most harrowing service.

Thanks to Jeff Morris, author of The History of the Porthdinllaen Lifeboats, for his permission to use the above text.