In a candid letter, sailor and RNLI supporter John Sinclair explains why he had to be rescued twice in the early hours of 22 March

'I anchored my 6m yacht Blue Dragon in Moelfre Bay overnight, to get into nearby Red Wharf Bay the following morning. But an easterly wind gained strength and the boat was badly exposed. The anchor was holding, but it would soon drag.

‘At about 2.30am I popped out to secure the boat for a third time, and was nearly thrown out of the boat. I realised things were getting dangerous and contacted Holyhead Coastguard. It was agreed that I needed assistance. After a very short delay, the RNLI inshore lifeboat from Moelfre was alongside.

‘By now it was quite rough, and we agreed I would be safer on the substantial emergency mooring buoy. I helmed while a crew member guided me to the buoy and made us fast. They checked the forecast and recommended that I evacuate ashore. I felt a bit safer on the buoy and said I should be able to ride it out. This was a bad call by me.

‘I’d been advised to call Holyhead Coastguard every hour. This I did until approximately 7.10am. I realised that I was in a bad way.

‘Although Blue Dragon was reasonably secure, the weather had got quite bad and the boat was being thrown about violently. There was a swell of about 3m. I’d now been like this for about 8 hours. The plan had been to motor down to Red Wharf Bay (3 miles). I realised that if I did this I would be in a perilous situation. I was a bit weak and in a panic by now so I called the Coastguard again.

‘I was very disappointed that I needed to be evacuated by the lifeboat, as I could have – should have – got off earlier. The crew were brilliant both times and very understanding. I felt that I’d let them down.

‘The lifeboat crew and other personnel at Moelfre were totally professional, calm and efficient. They also gave me useful advice regarding local conditions. They couldn’t be faulted. Total respect to them.'

John

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Moelfre Lifeboat Operations Manager Rod Pace chatted to John after the rescue. Both of them wished he had left the vessel the first time. Rod explains that this is a common situation: ‘Boat owners are always very reluctant to leave their vessels and lifeboat crews can only be so forceful. Advice given by our lifeboat volunteer crews should be taken with the interest of the casualty in mind.’

Offshore members can read another rescue from an RNLI supporter on page 6 of their magazine. If you actively enjoy the sea and would like to become an Offshore member call 0845 121 4999.