A MAN whose boat capsized stayed afloat by clinging to a cool box for more than four hours.
Rescuers said he was fortunate to survive after being found suffering badly from cold water immersion.
A capsized sailor stayed afloat by clinging to a cool box for more than four hours Credit: Getty
The RNLI located the missing person a few miles away at Harlech beach, after he was carried on the tide clinging to his cool box Credit: Getty
The alarm was raised when a rigid inflatable boat failed to return to shore.
It was then found overturned on a sandbank off Porthmadog, North , with its occupant nowhere to be seen.
A major search was launched on Thursday afternoon involving multiple lifeboats, coastguards and a rescue helicopter.
teams eventually located the missing occupant a few miles away at Harlech beach, after he was carried on the tide clinging to his cool box.
The unnamed man was taken to hospital for check-ups and treatment.
RNLI Criccieth Lifeboat said: “It is believed they had been in the water for more than four hours after the ebbing tide carried them from the estuary while they managed to stay afloat by clinging to a cool box.
“The casualty was suffering severe effects of cold-water immersion and was taken aboard the HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter before being transferred directly to hospital for further treatment.”
Rescuers said he was “very lucky” to survive after spending so long in the water, and urged boat owners to take precautions.
Chris Fisher, lifeboat operations manager at Criccieth RNLI, warned: “The outcome serves as a powerful reminder of just how unforgiving the sea can be.”
Boat occupants should always wear a suitable lifejacket and “carry a reliable means of communication such as a VHF radio or fully charged mobile phone in a waterproof pouch”, he added.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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