26 May 2013

Wildlife sanctuary visitors rescued from sinking boat

8:43 am on 26 May 2013

Forty eight passengers were rescued after a boat struck a rock and was in danger of sinking en route to a wildlife sanctuary off the coast of Wales on Saturday.

The Lady Helen was sailing to Skomer Island, a wildlife sanctuary for sea birds.

The BBC reports a mayday message was sent at 12.55pm (BST) and passengers were transferred to other vessels after the boat started taking in water as she was towed back to the mainland.

A sister boat, the Dale Princess, managed to drag the Lady Helen off the rock using a line but she began taking in water as they headed back to shore.

Lifeboats were also sent and an RAF helicopter from Devon.