Lifeboat volunteer Vinny Jones has recalled an unusual at sea encounter off Llanddulas as he took to the helm as Coxswain yesterday.

Vinny who is part of the Rhyl Lifeboat station team looking after the waters between Prestatyn and Colwyn Bay, was called out at 11.45am after a member of the public reported what appeared to be an upturned boat off Llandulas beach, quite close inshore.

Both the inshore and all-weather lifeboats were launched, with Vinny at the helm of the all-weather boat.

The all-weather lifeboat arrived on scene first, and the crew were directed to the scene by local volunteer coastguards ashore.

On arriving at the location, the crew could see that the object was actually a red and white roadworks barrier. This was confirmed ashore as the object sighted. The barrier was recovered and both volunteer crews then returned to station.by 1.15pm.

Vinny, whose normal job is a North Wales Police traffic officer said "I am used to seeing these barriers in my day job policing the roads, but to come across one out at sea was a bit of a surprise!

"I'm sure it wasn't causing offence (a fence!??) but I have taken it into custody at the lifeboat station, and put it on the right road back!"

He continued "On a more serious note, we would rather people dial 999 and ask for the coastguard, if they think they see anything or anyone in trouble at sea. We would rather be tasked and find something like this barrier, rather than not be tasked at all".

For more information about the work of our local Lifeboat teams in Llandudno and Rhyl, please visit www.rnli.org.

Photo: RNLI/Paul Frost MBE