A DEDICATED RNLI crew had to rush out of a remembrance ceremony to help save two stricken sailors last week.

Aberdyfi lifeboat crew were paged on Sunday morning while many of the volunteer crew were taking part in the parade for Remembrance Day.

The call came in shortly after 11 am.

Leaving the service as discretely as possible, the crew swiftly launched the Atlantic 75 Sandwell Lifeline to go to the aid of a yacht that had run aground on a sandbank on the approaches to the estuary.

Two persons were taken aboard the lifeboat, and attempts were made to free the vessel but she was found to be firmly aground.

The sailors were brought back to the station and the crew returned to secure the yacht.

Later in the day, the lifeboat was relaunched to recover the boat onto a mooring.

Faced with some surf conditions and the failing light, the crew took the vessel under tow and returned to the harbour where the yacht was secured to one of the visitor moorings.

A spokesperson for Aberdyfi RNLI said: “The crew would like to apologise for having to run out of the Remembrance Service and wish to pass on our respect to all of those who have dedicated their lives to the service of others and especially to those who paid the ultimate price.”