A helicopter was requested as this was deemed the safest option, but the nearest Helicopter available was Royal Navy Rescue 177 from HMS Gannet (Prestwick, Scotland) as 22 squadron at RAF Valley were out of action. It took an hour from HMS Gannet to reach RAF Valley on Angelsey to refuel before arriving at scene.
When they arrived they spotted a small fire on the Port side bridge wing. This made extracting the crew quickly crucial. This was later confirmed as a distress flare. At 2240, five of the seven crew had been rescued. The first five crew members were landed on the A55 and handed over to The Welsh Ambulance Service but required little or no treatment.
But during the rescue of the second group, the winch became tangled around a light fixture and had become un-serviceable. Rescue 177 then landed at the North Wales Police HQ, to drop off the two casualties on board the helicopter, as a power failure on land had caused the street lamps to extinguish.
Rescue 177 then flew to RAF Valley to attempt a repair on its winch. A second helicopter was requested, which arrived from RAF Leconfield, to extract the two remaining casualties and Royal Navy Winchman who were still on board.
The crew were all evacuated by 0100 and we returned to station.
Concerns that the fuel tanks have ruptured were raised as fuel could be smelt around the ship. The A55 had been closed until 1300, where a reassessment took place to determine weather it was safe to reopen the carriageway.
Pollution and salvage experts have assessed the situation this morning and are determining the best course of action. It was found that some gas oil had leaked, but because of the sea state it dispersed quickly and left little enviromental damage.
The MCA Secretary of States Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention (SOSREP) are working closely with Environment agency Wales, the Welsh assembly Government and the RSPB.
BBC Article
Daily Mail article
