Flint Lifeboat rescues two men from poorly equipped boat on river Dee

Flint Coastguard were paged this morning, November 2nd by Liverpool Maritime Rescue Coordinate Centre (MRCC) after they received a 999 call that a boat that was due at Greenfield Dock was overdue by 6 hours.

Emergency services at Greenfield

Emergency services were called when a man alerted them to the missing vessel which he was due to meet at 11pm last night.

The man stated that it had left Connah’s Quay Docks at 8:30pm and had difficulties straight away at the Flintshire Bridge then at Flint.

Its believed he made contact with the vessel at 03:30am via mobile phone and was told that they were having trouble somewhere off Bagillt.

At 04:50 the man contacted Liverpool MRCC with his concerns.

flint Coastguard arriving at greenfield dock

Flint Coastguard and Flint Lifeboat teams proceeded to Greenfield where they were told the stricken vessel had no safety equipment on board along with no lights or vhf radio.

Flint Lifeboat was launched at 05.10am and proceeded to Bagillt where they fired a white para flare and instantly located the casualties position. 

Once alongside, the lifeboat started escorting the vessel back to Greenfield under its own power but after a short while had to hook a tow line as the casualty had broken down.

On arrival at Greenfield the two rescued men were given ‘strong words’ of advice by both the Coastguard team and lifeboat crew.

Pictures: Flint Coastguard