A man has been arrested under the Mental Health Act after firing flares at lifeboatmen last Thursday. Armed police were called in to detain the 40 year-old in a three hour drama involving three lifeboats and a yacht.

The incident began at Deganwy Yacht Club near Llandudno late on Wednesday, when the man took a 23ft yacht and began to sail around the North Wales coast to Holyhead. He was followed by lifeboats from Conwy, Llandudno and Holyhead during the voyage. After firing flares at the lifeboats, he encountered difficulties and requested assistance from the Holyhead boat.

A firearms team from North Wales police was called in, who disguised themselves as lifeboatmen while the yacht was escorted into Holyhead marina. An onlooker commented:

‘As the boat came alongside, we saw about 20 or 30 armed police spring out of nowhere. They managed to overcome a man and frogmarch him out of the marina.’

50 people were evacuated from Holyhead marina while the arrest was made. The man is now being questioned in Caernarfon.

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