Family of five saved in rough seas Criccieth lifeboat was alerted on 16 August following a call to Holyhead Coastguard from a family caught in heavy weather aboard their yacht just south of Criccieth Castle.Coastguards paged Criccieth lifeboat's deputy launching authority at 1235 informing him that a yacht on passage from Barmouth to Pwllheli had called up on a mobile telephone saying that she was in difficulty and making heavy weather approximately a mile and a half south of Criccieth Castle.

Crew pagers were immediately activated and at 1245 the station's Atlantic 75 lifeboat Mercunus proceeded in a rough sea and gusting strong south westerly wind- After a short search the lifeboat sighted the yacht rolling heavily with a fully reefed mainsail and jib. She was unable to turn into the wind and was in obvious difficulty. The lifeboat went alongside and passed a tow rope which was eventually made fast by the woman aboard and the lifeboat took the yacht in tow.

The Lifeboat helmsman had originally thought of towing the yacht to Porthmadog, but due to the state of the ebbing tide and rough conditions on the Porthmadog Bar, he decided that it would be easier to tow her to Pwllheli. After towing for a little while in difficult conditions it was seen that it would be a lengthy process to tow the yacht back to Pwllheli. In view of the exposed conditions aboard the yacht, where two adults and three small children were getting very cold and wet in extremely uncomfortable conditions, the senior helmsman decided to take them off the yacht and bring them aboard the lifeboat.

As the yacht's crew were unable to release the towline it had to be cut free by the lifeboat crew to allow the lifeboat to manoeuvre alongside. As the yacht was rolling heavily, the lifeboat had to be brought alongside three times to take off the casualties.

The three children were brought aboard on the first run, the woman on the second and finally the skipper on the third. Criccieth lifeboat left the the yacht and returned to station just before 1340.

The rescued family were then examined in the boathouse by a waiting paramedic, and although they were very cold and wet, they did not require any further medical attention. They were given hot drinks and a change of clothing before being driven home to Pwllheli. The yacht had been left to await the arrival of the Pwllheli all weather lifeboat which eventually towed her into Pwllheli Harbour.

After seeing to the needs of the survivors the lifeboat was swiftly rehoused and made ready for service again..