Difficult tow for Tyne in onshore Gale gusting to over 50 knotsThe Director of the the RNLI has written to Moelfre lifeboat station expressing his thanks 'for a fine service in adverse conditions' by the coxswain and crew of the station's Tyne class lifeboat Robert and Violet.

The letter followed a service in winds of up to 60 knots on 26 May 1993.

A 55ft motor yacht, Samsoon, had anchored off Moelfre close to the fleet which had gathered to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic when her anchor began to drag. The anchor winch also jammed and she was having trouble with one of her engines.

The vessel was thought to be about a mile offshore, and the Coastguard asked for the lifeboat to be put on stand-by, but when it was discovered that she was in fact only a few hundred yards off Moelfre island a further request was made at 0855 for an immediate launch. By coincidence the yacht was only a few yards away from where the Hidlea had gone ashore in 1959.

Escort Robert and Violet launched into an easterly gale, with gusts of over 50 knots recorded by the naval vessels anchored two miles offshore, and made for the casualty.

Having been advised that the motor yacht had one engine running the lifeboat coxswain suggested she slip her anchor and proceed under lifeboat escort. However, just at that point the casualty's second engine stopped so the coxswain decided to put a tow line aboard her.

In the very heavy seas, with both vessels pitching and rolling heavily, heaving lines were put across the casualty's deck but it was only at the fourth attempt that one of her crew managed to catch one - but did not make it fast correctly.

Another attempt at putting a heaving line aboard eventually succeeded and the lifeboat was able to tow Samsoon clear as she raised her anchor. It was decided to tow her to the Menai Straits as nearby Amlwych was congested with sheltering vessels and the entrance was subject to a heavy swell.

During the tow across Red Wharf Bay the lifeboat came across a small motor cruiser which was almost overwhelmed by the conditions and altered course to close with her. The coxswain notified the Coastguard and an MFV which was in the bay. The MFV stood by and within 30 minutes responded to the cruiser's red flares and took her in towwhile the lifeboat continued to make her way to the Menai Straits with Samsoon.

Conditions were very difficult in the Straits with the wind funnelling through them and, with no attempt being made to steer her, the motor cruiser continued to surge up past the lifeboat despite shortening the tow.

Mooring With the conditions as they were the coxswain could not find a safe mooring for the casualty off Beaumaris, Bangor or even Menai and she was eventually taken to Pehryn Harbour, as the tide had flooded enough by then, and safely docked.

Moelfre lifeboat cannot be re-housed in easterly gales and so she was taken to Amlwych, where she could continue to provide cover, to await better conditions but her services were needed once more as she made her way there.

While passing through the anchored fleet she was asked to take an officer off an anchored minesweeper and in winds still gusting to over 50 knots with very bad sea conditions this was achieved successfully.

Finally making the safety of Amlwych at 1520 the navy provided transport for the lif eboat crew back to Moelfre and the coxswain to report to the Coastguard that Irobert and Violet was available for service once again, but it was 28 hours before conditions moderated enough to allow the Tyne to be re-housed..