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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Racing yachts in harbour rescue | Racing yachts in harbour rescue |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A major rescue operation has taken place off the north Wales coast after yachts taking part in a race were caught out by the wind and rough seas. | |
| Seventeen yachts, with combined crews of more than 50, were helped by the RNLI and other rescuers. | |
| The laser yachts were racing from Abersoch and got into difficulties entering Pwllheli harbour. | The laser yachts were racing from Abersoch and got into difficulties entering Pwllheli harbour. |
| The emergency began at 1042 BST on Saturday when three 16ft yachts were spotted in trouble by the harbour wall. | |
| Coastguards said the 16ft vessels were in difficulties in a heavy three metre swell and winds of 35 knots. | |
| The Pwllheli RNLI inshore lifeboat was launched and with a marina launch towed them away from the wall. | The Pwllheli RNLI inshore lifeboat was launched and with a marina launch towed them away from the wall. |
| Yachts were helped to reach safer waters | Yachts were helped to reach safer waters |
| Gwynedd Council's rescue boat and another inflatable then helped others among the 17 yachts in trouble to reach safer waters. | |
| Within an hour, all the dinghies outside the harbour wall had been brought to safety and the lifeboat headed to Abersoch on the Llyn peninsula to escort any stragglers. | |
| Fast moving | Fast moving |
| In an unconnected incident, an 18-20ft dinghy - with no-one on board - had capsized in the rough conditions off Warren Point and was washed up. | |
| Holyhead coastguard watch manager, Carl Hiltunen, said more than more than 50 people had been helped in the rescue. | Holyhead coastguard watch manager, Carl Hiltunen, said more than more than 50 people had been helped in the rescue. |
| "We have worked well with the RNLI and other rescue boats today in ensuring all those who were in difficulty or likely to be caught out have been brought to safety. | "We have worked well with the RNLI and other rescue boats today in ensuring all those who were in difficulty or likely to be caught out have been brought to safety. |
| "The RNLI have estimated they have helped over 50 people today and our thanks to them and to others who responded so quickly to this fast moving incident." | "The RNLI have estimated they have helped over 50 people today and our thanks to them and to others who responded so quickly to this fast moving incident." |