This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/north_west/6930023.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Men rescued after catamaran split Men rescued after catamaran split
(30 minutes later)
Three elderly yachtsmen were rescued after their catamaran broke in two, three miles off the Anglesey coast.Three elderly yachtsmen were rescued after their catamaran broke in two, three miles off the Anglesey coast.
The men, from Lancashire, managed to get aboard the 46ft yacht's life-raft off South Stack and contacted emergency services with a hand-held radio.The men, from Lancashire, managed to get aboard the 46ft yacht's life-raft off South Stack and contacted emergency services with a hand-held radio.
They were airlifted by a Sea King helicopter from RAF Valley, to Holyhead coastguard station.They were airlifted by a Sea King helicopter from RAF Valley, to Holyhead coastguard station.
A lifeboat retrieved pieces of the yacht and towed the two halves of the vessel into Holyhead marina.A lifeboat retrieved pieces of the yacht and towed the two halves of the vessel into Holyhead marina.
The yachtsmen were sailing from Porthdinllaen on the Llyn peninsula to Dublin but had turned and headed for Holyhead after the boat developed a problem earlier.The yachtsmen were sailing from Porthdinllaen on the Llyn peninsula to Dublin but had turned and headed for Holyhead after the boat developed a problem earlier.
The Holyhead lifeboat crew secured the damaged yacht after the rescue.Enlarge Image
Ian Griffiths from RAF Valley said they were called just before 1300 BST.Ian Griffiths from RAF Valley said they were called just before 1300 BST.
Initially, the three sailors were difficult to find and they were given directions by the yacht's skipper via the radio.Initially, the three sailors were difficult to find and they were given directions by the yacht's skipper via the radio.
Mr Griffiths said: "They were three miles west of South Stack and because the break-up of the catamaran happened so quickly, they had no time to wear their lifejackets."Mr Griffiths said: "They were three miles west of South Stack and because the break-up of the catamaran happened so quickly, they had no time to wear their lifejackets."
He said it was raining and the clouds were low.He said it was raining and the clouds were low.
"It must have been a scary experience for them," Mr Griffiths added."It must have been a scary experience for them," Mr Griffiths added.
The coastguard said the 46ft yacht had a slight structural weakness and there had been rough, windy conditions in the Irish Sea.The coastguard said the 46ft yacht had a slight structural weakness and there had been rough, windy conditions in the Irish Sea.
But the coastguard said even though it was an older model, there was "no reason to suspect it would do what it did".But the coastguard said even though it was an older model, there was "no reason to suspect it would do what it did".
None of the men needed medical assistance.None of the men needed medical assistance.