A major rescue operation took place off the coast of Anglesey after a crewman's leg was crushed in machinery on a 182-metre merchant vessel. The casualty, a man in his 30s, sustained a significant double break and deep lacerations to his lower leg during lifeboat derrick operations. He was airlifted to Liverpool for specialist surgical treatment.
Multi-agency response
The incident occurred on Friday, July 17, at approximately 10:45 am. RNLI Moelfre, HM Coastguard, and the search and rescue helicopter from Caernarfon were deployed. Lifeboat, paramedic, and coastguard teams scaled the vessel by ladder and saw the helicopter land on the ship's deck to stabilise the injured man.
An RNLI Moelfre spokesman said: "Moelfre all-weather lifeboat was tasked at 10.45am at the request of Holyhead Coastguard to assist a medical emergency onboard a Merchant vessel at anchor approximately six nautical miles North of Moelfre."
Casualty care and evacuation
The volunteer lifeboat crew launched within 15 minutes of receiving the tasking. Once alongside, they transferred two casualty care-trained crew via the pilot ladder. The crewman was found lying under the machinery on the second deck. The ship's crew had already stabilised the injury, and the RNLI team provided further medical assessment and pain relief.
Due to the severity of the injuries, the paramedic decided to stabilise the casualty and carry out a stretcher transfer onto the helicopter. RNLI Moelfre said: "Our volunteers worked alongside the helicopter paramedic, and within a short period of time, the person was stable and ready for evacuation after a difficult stretcher carry onto the ship's hatches and helicopter winching zone."
Coastguard role and landing zone
HM Coastguard Crosby and the Wirral coastguard rescue team were called in to ensure a safe landing for the helicopter at a field close to Liverpool Aintree Hospital. A spokesman said: "The team was called out this morning alongside HM Coastguard Crosby to establish a safe landing site in a field close to Liverpool Aintree Hospital for the inbound Coastguard Rescue Helicopter R336."
The team secured the landing zone, conducted a foreign object debris check, and formed a stretcher party to transfer the patient to a waiting ambulance. This mission brought the number of incidents attended by the Wirral coastguard rescue team in 2026 to 200.
Coxswain's statement
RNLI lifeboat coxswain Vince Jones said: "This was a fantastic multi-agency operation to safely treat, stabilise and evacuate a man in urgent need of specialist medical attention. Our crew bravely scaled the ship's 10-meter pilot ladder with equipment and all to reach the casualty in less than 30 minutes after we received the call. Time was critical, and without the combined efforts of the ship's crew, our volunteer lifeboat crew and rescue helicopter team, the outcome could have been very different. We wish the crewman a speedy recovery and thank all those involved in a successful outcome."
Subsequent incidents
While returning to Liverpool, the Wirral coastguard rescue team received reports of two swimmers possibly in difficulty off the Gunsite, Leasowe. On arrival, the swimmers were found to be experienced and safely exiting the water at Derby Pool. Shortly after, the team received reports of a vessel sinking off West Kirby, but it was confirmed that everyone was safe and the vessel was securely moored.
