Three rescued in strong winds and poor visibilityThe RNLI's chief of operations has congratulated the crew of Holyhead's Tyne class lifeboat St Cybi II following a service to the 52ft yacht Espaniola.

In his letter he complimented the crew for the way in which the service 'was made to look routine' by the professional and efficient performance of their duties despite the unpleasant conditions.The Coastguard alerted the honorary secretary to the yacht's plight at 1010 on 30 August 1989, when she was some 15 miles NNW of the station with engine failure and damage to her sails.

The wind was SW Force 7 with a swell running at 6m, heavy rain and visibility down to as little as a quarter of a mile.

Despite the very poor conditions the lifeboat was able to locate the yacht promptly by using her VHF radio direction finder and radar and was alongside her by 1140.

St Cybi II took her in tow with the three crew aboard and began a three-hour tow back to the safety of Holyhead, making the casualty fast to a mooring there at 1445 be-fore returning to station at 1455. She was refuelled and ready for service again just 15 minutes later.

A simple report of a well executed rescue can often obscure the skill and dedication of the crews in poor weather, indeed in his report of this service the station honorary secretary added: 'This was an excellent service carried out in very trying conditions. The fact that it was carried out in such an efficient manner does not detract from, or depreciate the value of the service.'.