Early morning ‘shout’ for Hoylake Lifeboat

Hoylake lifeboat volunteers were paged at 4.44 am and were able to effect a rapid launch of their lifeboat, the Edmund Hawthorn Micklewood left the slipway at 04.57 am. The lifeboat with RNLI Staff Coxswain Tom Stuart in command was able to reach the casualty within 30 minutes. A member of the crew was then put on board the ketch to assist in securing a towline and the tow was underway before 06.00 am. The lifeboat entered the River Mersey at approximately 07.30 am and then proceeded to moorings at Tranmere where the casualty was safely secured about two hours later.

Dave Mackenzie, the crew member who was on board the casualty and spoke to its skipper said; ‘The yachtsman was very competent and well-equipped. He made the right decision to call for assistance early. We were able to come to his aid rapidly and help him before the situation deteriorated and became much more serious.’

The RNLI lifeboat then returned to her station at Hoylake where she was washed down, refuelled and made ready for service by 12.30 pm.

Notes to editors.

• Hoylake Lifeboat Station has been operating since 1803 and is one of the oldest in the country. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.rnli.org.uk/hoylake  or www.hoylakelifeboat.org.uk/
• Lifeboat Operations Manager Dave Whiteley and Coxswain/Mechanic Andy Dodd are available for interview by arrangement.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone or email:

• Hoylake RNLI Volunteer Press Officers,  Peter Ruddell, on 07974 800 106 peter_ruddell@rnli.org.uk or Louise Dodd on 07833 734 964 [email protected]
• Public Relations Manager North, Alison Levett, on 07786668912 [email protected]
• RNLI Central Press Office on 01202 336 789 (24 Hours).

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For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre www.rnli.org.uk/press

Key facts about the RNLI

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland from 236 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 180 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.

The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 139,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.