Mayday call out for Flint RNLI crew as speedboat gets into trouble on River Dee

Holyhead coastguard requested the assistance of Flint RNLI at around 2.35pm.
The lifeboat was launched from Connahs Quay where it located the 18’ open speedboat further up river towards Queensferry 3.15pm.

On board were five occupants, all wearing lifejackets, an attempt was made by the speedboat crew to deploy an anchor which proved unsuccessful due to the fast flooding tide.

During the tow one of the crew of the speedboat was reported to be very cold, the lifeboat Landrover met the lifeboat at the ‘Blue Bridge’ where the casualty was transferred.

Vessel broken down by Queensferry with 5 persons on board, towed back to Connah’s Quay. pic.twitter.com/o18atBkW4T

— Flint Lifeboat (@FlintLifeboat) April 23, 2015

The remaining four opted to stay with the speedboat and were landed at Connahs Quay, minutes later a second call came in from Holyhead Coastguard requesting Flint Lifeboat for assistance

Reports of a large orange object had been seen in the river Dee at Flint, the lifeboat proceeded to the area and following a short search located and recovered yellow and orange balloons.

Alan Forrester volunteer lifeboat operations manager at Flint said:

‘In view of the fast flooding tide we had to act quickly as the speedboats anchor was not holding, the crew did a very professional job, it was quite a busy afternoon and a difficult recovery’.