Early start to 2017 for Morecambe’s volunteer lifeboat crew
At approximately 12 noon on Saturday 7 January 2017, HM Coastguard requested the Morecambe RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew to join police officers and the local Coastguard team to search for two people and a dog; reported to missing in thick fog in the Battery area of Morecambe.
With an incoming tide, the charity’s inshore rescue hovercraft was launched and the crew quickly proceeded to the area and commenced the search. They were stood down when it was confirmed by police that the couple’s car had been identified as having left the area.
Morecambe RNLI volunteer Hovercraft Commander, Andy Wright, said ‘We were able to search the area thoroughly, even though visibility was down to about 40 metres due to the fog; making the operation very difficult. The important thing is that people are safe.’
Morecambe RNLI volunteer Deputy Launching Authority, Colin Midwinter, said ‘Although a false alarm, it was made with good intent and we would always encourage the public to err on the side of caution by reporting anything which they believe to be evidence of someone at risk.’
Notes to editors
- Morecambe Lifeboat Station has been operating since 1966.
- Personnel can be available for interview.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone or email Colin Midwinter, RNLI Morecambe Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07885 772820 (email: [email protected]) or contact Mark Bateson, RNLI Morecambe Assistant Lifeboat Press Officer on 07791 496685
or contact the RNLI Public Relations Department on 01202 336789.
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.