Hoylake RNLI Lifeboat launches to yacht aground on rocks.

At 6.43 pm, shortly after the volunteer crew had washed down and refuelled Hoylake RNLI Lifeboat from a service this afternoon, UK Coastguard requested the boat be relaunched to proceed to the assistance of the yacht La Republique which had run aground on the channel revetment about three miles off Hightown.

Radio communications with the casualty were difficult but the yacht reported that she had seven persons on board and was ‘bouncing on the rocks and possibly taking on water’. In view of the seriousness of the situation the lifeboat launched at 7.03 pm and proceeded towards the casualty at full speed.

Approximately five minutes later UK Coastguard reported to the lifeboat that the casualty had been able to refloat from the revetment and was making way under her own power up the channel towards the River Mersey.

Hoylake Lifeboat was stood down by the Coastguard and returned to station where she was washed down, refuelled and made ready for her next service.

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 Officer Peter Ruddell, on 07974 800 106 peter_ruddell@rnli.org.uk
• 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.