Ed Gets First Moelfre RNLI Lifeboat Emergency Call

by Sue Beesley
(Marianglas)

Not long after he completed his training at the Lifeboat Training College in Poole in July, Ed Griffiths got his first Moelfre RNLI Lifeboat emergency call on 10 September 2008.

The call out was to a 40ft yacht which had lost a propeller blade in rough seas and 45 mph winds in Liverpool Bay, off the east Anglesey coast.

A local man on board in his 60's had been on passage from Liverpool to the Menai Straits and initially the Beaumaris RNLI inshore lifeboat was launched to the yacht's aid.

Due to the size of the yacht, however, the assistance of the Moelfre RNLI Lifeboat was requested, under Ed's command.

Once they arrived at the scene, one mile north east of Puffin Island, the volunteer RNLI crew passed a tow rope over and proceeded to tow the yacht to a safe mooring in the Menai Straits.

This proved a difficult tow due to the Force 8, gusting Force 9, south westerly winds and mountainous seas.

Ed showed exceptional seamanship and confidence in manoeuvring the 47ft RNLI Lifeboat in very testing conditions.

Away from all the adrenaline pumping action of lifeboat duty, Ed is to be found in the calmer setting of one of his two businesses in the village of Moelfre.

There is Ann's Pantry, a restaurant run by his partner, Laura, and his cafe and takeaway, Y Caban.

Ed says: "As I am one of the few crew members whose business is located in the village, I'm in an ideal position to respond almost immediately to any shouts.

And it's not unknown for me to down tools during evening waiting-on duties at Ann's Pantry to answer the bleep!"

In his spare time Ed is involved with Moelfre Boat Club, and is one of the crew of the Celtic long rowing boat, Seren Gobaith, which was purchased with support from a community grant two years ago.

Ed has been an active sailor all his life, and it doesn't look as if that is about to change any time soon!

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