LESS than a week after the devastation at Holyhead Marina during Storm Emma the town’s RNLI lifeboat launched for the first time from her new berth in the inner harbour.

A call came at 4.30pm, from the UK Coastguard, for the lifeboat to assist a 16 metre 25 tonne ex-fishing vessel with three people on board on Wednesday March 7.

The craft had suffered engine failure on a voyage from Penzance to Liverpool. The Holyhead all weather lifeboat Christopher Pearce was launched within 15 minutes of the original call. The lifeboat was berthed at a temporary location within the inner harbour area after Holyhead Marina was wrecked in the recent storms.

The stricken boat was four miles off the Holyhead coast. Southerly winds and tides meant she was drifting toward the main shipping lane, which could have caused issues for larger vessels later.

Coxswain Tony Price said the vessel had been "in no immediate danger, was in good condition, and the crew correctly equipped for the voyage."

Mr Price also thanked the port authorities for their support for the lifeboat. The stricken craft was towed safely to Holyhead’s south quay area, and the lifeboat returned to her temporary berth at 6.30pm and ready for service.