TWO YOUNG MEN RESCUED AFTER DINGHY DRIFTS OUT TO SEA AT NIGHT

Two young men were rescued after drifting off the Gwynedd coast in a small dinghy in the middle of the night.

The men, who were not wearing life jackets, contacted the coastguard for help by mobile phone shortly after midnight on Thursday.

A volunteer Abersoch RNLI crew was sent to tow them back to safety, in what was their first callout of the year.

An RNLI spokesman said: “Abersoch RNLI volunteer crew were tasked by UK Coastguard to assist two casualties on board a small dinghy drifting off the headland at Llanbedrog.

“The Peter and Ann Setten B Class Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat was launched at 12.48am and arrived at the scene within eight minutes. On arrival at the scene two young adult male casualties were found onboard.

“They were not wearing life jackets at the time of the rescue and had contacted the coastguard via a mobile telephone.

“The casualties were taken onboard the lifeboat and a safe tow was established and the dinghy was returned to the shore. The casualties were then handed over to the local coastguard team.”

The lifeboat returned to the station at 1.35am.

Lifeboat operations manager, Wyn Jones, said: “If you spot a vessel that appears to be unattended you should remain onshore and call 999 and ask for the coastguard.”