THE story of Chris Ellery’s unexpected journey across the Irish Sea has captivated many, especially after the photographer from Bristol was found safe in County Wicklow, Ireland, last Saturday. The 54-year-old set off from Pembrokeshire, Wales, with plans for a short solo trip but ended up sparking a large-scale search when he failed to return as expected. This is the background to Ellery’s unplanned voyage and the tense days that followed.

SETTING OFF FROM PEMBROKESHIRE

Chris Ellery, a seasoned boater and keen wildlife photographer, had arrived in Pembrokeshire to capture landscapes and wildlife. On Wednesday, October 30, he launched his small black inflatable boat from Goodwick’s Parrog at around 2:00pm. His family expected him back in Bristol by Thursday, but when he missed check-ins, they grew alarmed. After attempts to reach him went unanswered, the family alerted Dyfed-Powys Police, who quickly launched a search, knowing it was out of character for Ellery not to stay in touch.

SEARCH OPERATION INTENSIFIES

The initial stages of the search focused on the Pembrokeshire coast, as local RNLI lifeboats from Fishguard, St Davids, Little Haven, Cardigan, and New Quay combed the waters. Police located Ellery’s vehicle at Goodwick, while Fishguard RNLI volunteers discovered a tent and other personal items near Carreg Gwastad point—a cove accessible only by boat. These findings, while raising hopes, also intensified concerns about his safety.

As the search expanded, air support joined the effort, with the HM Coastguard deploying rescue helicopters and a fixed-wing aircraft from Humberside, scanning from Skomer Island to Mwnt. In total, over a hundred personnel across multiple agencies joined in the search, mobilising a vast range of resources to cover both land and sea.

AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY TO IRELAND

While search teams scoured Pembrokeshire’s coastline, Mr. Ellery was adrift on the Irish Sea. He had experienced engine trouble shortly after setting off, and though he managed a temporary fix, his phone had lost power, leaving him unable to communicate or navigate back to safety. Over two days, strong currents and prevailing winds carried him westward across more than 100 km of open sea.

Finally, on Saturday, November 2, he arrived in County Wicklow, Ireland, where he walked into a Garda station to alert authorities. Tired but unharmed, his unexpected arrival in Ireland marked the end of a search that had spanned days and involved the efforts of numerous agencies.

REACTIONS AND RELIEF

Following his safe arrival, Ellery’s family expressed immense relief. His daughter, Kenzie, who had been actively sharing updates and appeals on social media, posted joyfully: “My dad is alive; he has been found in Ireland!” The outpouring of support from friends, family, and even strangers underscored the communal response that had grown around the search.

Ireland’s Taoiseach, Simon Harris, extended a warm welcome, calling the incident “a remarkable story of survival” and expressing relief for Ellery’s family and the Welsh emergency teams involved.

RNLI ISSUES SAFETY ADVICE

The RNLI used Ellery’s experience to highlight the importance of preparation for solo trips at sea. The organisation recommended that all boaters keep family or friends informed of their travel plans and ensure they carry sufficient means of communication, such as a handheld VHF radio or additional power sources for phones.

Mr. Ellery’s unexpected journey serves as a reminder of the sea’s unpredictability and the crucial role that search and rescue teams play in ensuring the safety of those who find themselves in unexpected situations.

ST DAVIDS Cathedral Choir has returned from an inspiring weekend of music-making at the iconic Chapel Royal in Hampton Court Palace. The group, comprising the Vicars Choral and Choral Scholars, was invited to perform at the historic venue and took part in a series of high-profile services attended by both music enthusiasts and chapel visitors.

The weekend began on Saturday with a unique bilingual Evensong, where the choir performed stirring pieces by renowned composers Thomas Tomkins and Thomas Tallis. The highlight of the visit came on Sunday, when St Davids Choir joined the esteemed Gentlemen of the Chapel Royal for a morning Eucharist and an evening Evensong. This collaboration featured sacred music by Palestrina, Tallis, John Shepherd, and William Byrd, creating an atmosphere that resonated through the halls of the 16th-century chapel.

The weekend’s success was credited to the warm welcome extended by the Chapel Royal team, including notable figures such as James Elliot Harris, Sophie Baylis, Carl Jackson, and Simon Bloxam-Rose. “Their hospitality was exceptional,” said a spokesperson for St Davids Choir. “They made us feel truly at home.”

Special thanks also went to Canon Leigh Richardson, Laurence John, Ben Richards, and Christa Richardson of St Davids, whose Welsh readings added a personal and cultural dimension to the service.

St Davids Cathedral Choir expressed their desire to continue this partnership, extending an invitation for the Chapel Royal team to visit St Davids Cathedral in the future. For many, the weekend was a moving testament to the power of music to connect communities and celebrate heritage across borders.

A KEEN photographer from Bristol, Chris Ellery, has made a miraculous landing in Ireland after his small boat broke down in the Irish Sea, sparking a two-day search effort along the Pembrokeshire coastline.

The 54-year-old set off from Fishguard on Thursday (Oct 31) on a solo outing, expecting a brief return journey. When he failed to arrive back as scheduled, family members and authorities were alerted, leading to a large-scale, multi-agency search across the waters and shores of Pembrokeshire and Cardigan Bay.

Breakdown in the Irish Sea

According to HM Coastguard, Mr. Ellery ran into engine trouble while heading west towards Ireland. The three-metre (10ft) black inflatable boat suffered a breakdown mid-journey; although he managed to restart the engine, his phone had also stopped working, cutting off any chance of communication. Stranded and without a working phone, Chris continued his journey until he eventually came ashore on Saturday in County Wicklow.

After making landfall, he walked to the nearest police station, where he was able to contact authorities. The Gardaí confirmed he was “tired but okay,” ending days of intense worry for his family and friends.

Chris’s family had travelled to Fishguard after losing contact with him and grew increasingly concerned. His daughter, Kenzie Ellery, issued a heartfelt appeal on social media, urging anyone with information to come forward. On Saturday afternoon, she shared a joyful update: “MY DAD IS ALIVE HE HAS BEEN FOUND IN IRELAND,” bringing much relief to all those involved in the search.

Two-day search operation

HM Coastguard resumed its search efforts early on Saturday, deploying aircraft, RNLI boat crews, and Coastguard teams across North Pembrokeshire, Cardigan Bay, and St Brides Bay. Dyfed-Powys Police had joined the search as well, after the Coastguard retrieved some of Mr. Ellery’s personal items on a remote cove earlier in the operation.

A Coastguard spokesperson commented, “He came ashore in County Wicklow and made his way to a local police station. They contacted Dyfed-Powys Police. It’s good news.”

The family has expressed their gratitude for the extensive support received from search teams and the local community. The remarkable journey, from the initial breakdown at sea to reaching safety on Irish shores, has brought relief and closure to what could have been a tragic outcome.

St Davids RNLI said their crew were part of the major multi agency search operation

St Davids RNLI said: “Volunteers on both our all-weather and inshore lifeboats were delighted to receive freshly cooked bacon, sausage and egg sandwiches from our own crew member Judd and his FPV Rhodri Morgan crew.

“This was a very welcome boost for morale during the intensive search.”

Fishguard RNLI confirmed: “Our volunteer crew were paged to launch both lifeboats on Friday to assist with the search for a missing person.

“Both lifeboats were again out on the water this morning conducting a further search of the coastline.

“[On Saturday] there was good news that the individual had been located in Ireland, and so a positive outcome to the search over the last few days.

“Eight lifeboats across five stations played their part in searching the Welsh coast from Skomer Island up to Mwnt and out into Cardigan Bay along with Coastguard volunteers and aircraft crew.”  

Daughter Kenzie Ellery took to social media on Saturday afternoon, saying: “I just want to say thank you for all the amazing support from everyone.

“The details are still vague but we will be able to answer questions in time, the important part is dad is alive, safe and well!

“It’s been great how social media can bring people together positively and see communities come together to help.

“Thank you to everyone involved.”