{"id":33043,"date":"2025-08-14T18:42:32","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T18:42:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oceansignal.com\/?post_type=survivor-stories&p=33043"},"modified":"2025-08-19T07:43:17","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T07:43:17","slug":"yacht-sinks-near-the-skerries-solo-sailor-rescued-after-striking-submerged-rock-off-anglesey","status":"publish","type":"survivor-stories","link":"https:\/\/oceansignal.com\/us\/survivor-stories\/yacht-sinks-near-the-skerries-solo-sailor-rescued-after-striking-submerged-rock-off-anglesey\/","title":{"rendered":"Yacht Sinks Near The Skerries: Solo Sailor Rescued After Striking Submerged Rock off Anglesey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On the 24th of June, I returned to Holyhead following an overnight stay in Dulas Bay, Anglesey, aboard my 8-metre yacht. The wind was blowing a steady Force 5 from the northwest, with occasionally stronger gusts. I had a strong tidal stream in my favor, helping make good progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I approached The Skerries, it became clear that the combination of wind and tide would prevent me from safely passing outside the islands. I decided to turn to port and take the inner passage between The Skerries and the mainland \u2014 a route I had used before, though cautiously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Approximately one mile south of The Skerries, there was a sudden, loud bang. The yacht began violently pounding beneath me. I later learned I had struck a submerged rock. Within less than a minute, the mast had gone over the side, and I realized I was in serious trouble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I immediately made a Mayday call on my fixed VHF and activated my EPIRB. It was placed on the cockpit seat next to my liferaft. Water was already rising rapidly inside the hull, so I made one final trip into the cabin to retrieve my handheld VHF. As I returned to the cockpit, a breaking wave swept across the stern, washing both the liferaft and the EPIRB into the sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moments later, the yacht foundered completely and sank beneath me. I was now in the water. I inflated my life jacket and tried to remain calm. The sea was rough, with frequent waves breaking over me. I estimate it was no more than four minutes from the initial impact to the yacht\u2019s total loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While in the water, I monitored my handheld VHF and heard confirmation that a helicopter, along with both the inshore and all-weather lifeboats from Holyhead, were heading to my last reported position. Shortly afterwards, I heard another transmission confirming that the rescue team had picked up the signal from my EPIRB<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rescue helicopter soon arrived overhead, quickly located me, and directed the inshore lifeboat (ILB) to my position. The ILB crew pulled me aboard. By this time, I had been in the water for approximately 30 minutes. It was cold, shaken, and starting to show signs of hypothermia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The crew transferred me to the all-weather lifeboat (ALB), and shortly afterward, the helicopter crew winched me aboard for evacuation. They then flew me directly to Bangor Hospital for treatment and recovery.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Approximately one mile south of The Skerries, there was a sudden, loud bang. The yacht began violently pounding beneath me. I later learned I had struck a submerged rock. Within less than a minute, the mast had gone over the side, and I realized I was in serious trouble.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6715,"featured_media":33027,"template":"","survivor-stories-category":[10],"survivor-stories-cause":[38],"survivor-stories-event":[36],"survivor-stories-rescue":[],"survivor-stories-terrain":[24],"class_list":["post-33043","survivor-stories","type-survivor-stories","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","survivor-stories-category-boating","survivor-stories-cause-boat-sinking","survivor-stories-event-wind","survivor-stories-terrain-ocean"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nDramatic Yacht Rescue Near The Skerries: Solo Sailor Saved After Hitting Submerged Rock Yacht Sinks Near The Skerries: Solo Sailor Rescued After Striking Submerged Rock off Anglesey - Ocean Signal<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A solo sailor was dramatically rescued near The Skerries after his yacht struck a submerged rock and sank within minutes. 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