A MAN reported missing early this morning (August 26) was found “safe and well” on Anglesey following a multi-agency search for him.
At 3.32am today, volunteers at Moelfre’s RNLI branch were tasked with searching for him off Cemlyn and Wylfa Head.
Its all-weather lifeboat, Kiwi, was launched, following reports of a missing man last seen fishing with a friend off Cemlyn; when the friend returned to the car, there was no sign of the other person.
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Mobile Coastguard teams from Cemaes and Holyhead, along with North Wales Police and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, searched ashore, while the Moelfre crew and a Coastguard helicopter from Caernarfon searched the shoreline and further out to sea.
Despite the tricky coastline, the crew searched as best they could, using night vision, a thermal imaging camera, searchlights, and white parachute flares.
After an hour or so on the scene, it was confirmed that the man’s personal belongings and fishing equipment had been found by the lagoon in Cemlyn, so shore-based search parties focused their search ashore.
The lifeboat continued illuminating the areas and searching into the bay, but nothing was found.
Shortly after 6am, the lifeboat was stood down - a few minutes later, it was confirmed that the individual had been found ashore.
He was lost and under the influence of alcohol, but was otherwise safe and well.
Moelfre RNLI coxswain, Vince Jones, said: “This was a fantastic example of collaborative multi-agency teamwork.
“The volunteer crew onboard our all-weather lifeboat was able to identify possible heat sources ashore and guide the teams into the area to check and conduct a thorough search of the bay and shoreline.
“Although the full circumstances aren’t yet known, this was a costly search effort by all involved.
“People venturing out to the coast should always have the appropriate equipment when fishing and means of calling for help are a must.
“The consumption of drinks (or drugs) near the water is a recipe for disaster. Fortunately, the person was found safe and well in this instance.”
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