A FATHER and son have been rescued after becoming lost in the mist in a busy shipping lane near Prestatyn.

The man and his young son were spotted by a member of the public struggling in a two metre inflatable boat in the middle of the lane to the port of Mostyn - which is used by numerous windfarm transfer boats and the Airbus wing ferry - trying to row ashore on Wednesday, April 17.

Due to the misty weather, offshore wind, and cross-shore tide, the people on shore reported the two metre long inflatable boat had been lost in the mist, requiring both of Rhyl's RNLI's lifeboats being launched.

Rhyl Journal:

The dinghy, two miles out from Prestatyn shore. Picture: RNLI/Paul Frost

The pair had started out on the four mile journey from Prestatyn to the windfarms without flares, lifejackets, or a means to call for help.

Luckily, a member of the public spotted the boat again, and the local volunteer coastguard team were able to direct the lifeboat crews to the boat.

Martin Jones, coxswain of Rhyl lifeboat station, said: "The two were very lucky to have been spotted from the shore by the public. We thank these onlookers who correctly alerted the emergency services by dialling 999 and asking for the coastguard.

"Where the casualties were located, was in the middle of the approach channel to Mostyn Docks. We are just so glad we were able to rescue and see them safely ashore."

The lifeboat crew then took the casualties back to the Prestatyn shore, where they were then ferried to the beach on the inshore lifeboat, to be met by the coastguards.