A major multi-agency rescue operation off the North Wales coast has saved the life of a casualty who spent more than four hours in the water while clinging to a cool box after a boat capsized near Porthmadog.

Both of RNLI Criccieth Lifeboat’s lifeboats were launched at around 3pm yesterdayafter reports that a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) had failed to return from an outing that began in Porthmadog.

As volunteer crews from Criccieth responded, an off-duty RNLI crew member working with Gwynedd Council’s Maritime Department made a crucial breakthrough when they located an overturned vessel on a sandbank near Porthmadog. The discovery immediately escalated concerns for the missing occupant.

An extensive search operation followed across the estuary, coastline and inshore waters. Criccieth RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Margaret a Nantw and Atlantic 85 lifeboat Frank Townley searched the area alongside additional resources from HM Coastguard. A search and rescue helicopter was also deployed, supported by Coastguard Rescue Teams from Criccieth and Barmouth, as well as Barmouth’s all-weather lifeboat and other local vessels.

As the tide ebbed, the casualty had been carried out of the estuary and into open water. Despite the conditions, they managed to survive by holding onto a floating cool box for several hours before eventually being located on Harlech Beach.

They were found suffering the severe effects of cold-water immersion and were airlifted by the Coastguard Search and Rescue Helicopter directly to hospital for further treatment.

Chris Fisher, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Criccieth RNLI, praised the scale and coordination of the response, describing it as a challenging and fast-moving incident involving multiple agencies working together seamlessly to locate the missing person.

He also used the incident to highlight safety at sea, urging anyone going afloat to wear a lifejacket, use a kill cord where fitted, carry reliable communication equipment such as a VHF radio or waterproofed mobile phone, and ensure someone ashore knows their plans before departure.

He said those simple precautions can be the difference between life and death in an emergency.

The station thanked all involved for the successful outcome, crediting the combined efforts of lifeboat crews, Coastguard teams, helicopter support and local responders in bringing the incident to a safe conclusion.