RNLI Portishead Volunteers Saves Life

With a person in the water the volunteers were very quick to launch from the lower slipway with an outgoing tide.  The crew knew that although the person was reported to be just off their old slipway at Sugar Loaf Beach, they could potentially be much further down the Estuary before they reached them. Everything was working in the volunteers favour as the visibility was good, a flat calm sea and with help from two people on the shore who had alerted the Coastguard, the casualty was spotted very quickly.

Ian Lazenby, RNLI Helmsman said: ‘All of the agencies involved today did a superb job, but it was the perseverance and determination of the members of the public on the foreshore who undoubtedly played a large part in helping us save this man. I am proud of the RNLI team who worked well together in what was a tense and challenging rescue.’

Once the casualty was on board the Atlantic 85 My Lady Anne, he was taken to the lifeboat station at Portishead where the RNLI volunteers, along with the other agencies, gave further medical care. On scene were the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), Great Weston Air Ambulance Team, Portishead Coastguard, South Western Ambulance Service and local Police.

This was a huge team effort, which will go down as a ‘life saved’ for the RNLI volunteers, their first from their new state of the art station. With 23 people assisted, two dogs assisted and one life saved so far this year, the volunteers are bracing themselves for a very busy summer.

If you are in any doubt about what you may see in or by the water always dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Our coastline here in Portishead has the second highest tidal range in the world and with such fast flowing water you can get in to serious trouble very quickly.  Even when it looks calm, unexpected waves, tides and rip currents can catch you out.  #RespectTheWater

RNLI notes to editors
Photos ©RNLI Portishead
1 My Lady Anne launches from the lower slipway
2 Multi Agency Teamwork
3 De-brief for all crews

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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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