Busy day for Fleetwood RNLI

The first call-out came early afternoon on Saturday, following a request by HM Coastguard to investigate a submerged boat, near Skippool.

The inshore lifeboat (ILB) was launched and the lifeboat crew found no people on board. Whilst investigating the submerged boat, HM Coastguard again asked for assistance with a yacht that had run aground. The person on board the vessel was confirmed to be safe and waiting for the tide by the lifeboat crew.

Then at 2.15pm, the all-weather lifeboat (ALB), William Street was launched to assist their RNLI colleagues from Morecambe. Morecambe ILB was towing a fishing vessel back to port, but the wind and tide meant the larger and more powerful all-weather lifeboat from Fleetwood, was more suited to the task. The Fleetwood crew took over from Morecambe RNLI and towed the yacht to Knott End.

Tony Cowell, 2nd Coxswain at Fleetwood lifeboat station said: 'The volunteer lifeboat crews handled both incidents quickly and professionally. We should also mention the fantastic volunteer shore crew we have here at Fleetwood RNLI. They were on service for over seven hours. We couldn’t operate without them.'

The lifeboat crew were pleased to return to shore in time to celebrate the 50th birthday of ‘Skip’ Frith, a Fleetwood lifeboat crewman for many years.

Picture caption

RNLI Fleetwood’s all weather lifeboat, ‘William Street’

RNLI Media contacts
For more information please contact Ken Harcombe, Fleetwood RNLI Volunteer Press Officer, on 07970 197195 / [email protected]  Alison Levett, RNLI Public Relations Manager, North, on 07786 668912/ [email protected]. Or, Clare Hopps, RNLI Public Relations Officer North, on 07824 518641/ [email protected]

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.