A crewman in his 30s was airlifted to hospital on July 17 after sustaining serious lower leg injuries aboard a merchant vessel anchored off the north-east coast of Anglesey.
Rapid response from lifeboat crew and helicopter
Moelfre RNLI volunteers were tasked at the request of Holyhead Coastguard and launched their all‑weather lifeboat at 10.45am to assist the 182‑metre bulk carrier, which had reported a medical emergency during lifeboat derrick operations. Additional air support was provided by the local Search and Rescue helicopter from Caernarfon.
The volunteer crew worked to transfer casualty‑care trained personnel to the ship, climbing a 10‑metre pilot ladder to reach the casualty on the second deck where the injury occurred beneath machinery.
"Moelfre all‑weather lifeboat (ALB) was tasked at the request of Holyhead Coastguard to assist a medical emergency onboard a merchant vessel at anchor approximately six nautical miles North of Moelfre," the RNLI statement said.
Nature of the injury and evacuation
The crew member suffered a crushed lower leg described by rescuers as a significant double break with deep lacerations. Once assessed and stabilised by the lifeboat's medic-trained volunteers, the casualty was transferred to the helicopter for rapid evacuation to hospital.
Such operations — boarding a large vessel via a pilot ladder and treating a casualty in confined machinery spaces — carry considerable risk and require skilled coordination between lifeboat crew, coastguard and air assets.
- Primary responders: Moelfre RNLI crew, Holyhead Coastguard, Caernarfon SAR helicopter
- Vessel involved: 182‑metre bulk carrier at anchor
- Location: Approximately six nautical miles north of Moelfre
| Detail | Recorded |
|---|---|
| Lifeboat launch time | 10.45am, 17 July |
| Vessel length | 182 metres |
| Approximate distance from Moelfre | 6 nautical miles |
Local impact and safety reminder
The incident highlights the continued reliance of maritime and coastal communities on volunteer lifeboat crews and coordinated coastguard response. While the circumstances here relate to shipboard operations, the episode serves as a reminder of the hazards that can arise at sea and the importance of timely reporting and professional rescue resources.
Anyone witnessing a maritime emergency is advised to contact the coastguard through the usual 999/112 channels and ask for the coastguard. The RNLI continues to support casualty care and evacuation operations around Anglesey alongside statutory rescue services.
No further details on the casualty's condition were released by the services involved.
