St Bees RNLI launch to a small fishing boat drifting close to St Bees Head

At 3:50pm on Sunday 23 July the volunteer crew at St Bees RNLI were requested by UK Coastguard to go to the aid of a small fishing boat that had run out of fuel.

The RNLI lifeboat made its way round St Bees Head where they quickly located the vessel. One of the St Bees volunteers then went on board, refuelled the fishing boat and re-started it. Unsure if this was just a fuel problem the lifeboat crew decided the safest course of action would be to escort the fishing boat back to where they had begun their journey. Members of Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team met the fishing boat and crew on the shore. With the boat and crew now safely ashore, St Bees lifeboat returned back to their station.

Dick Beddows St Bees Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘We are glad everyone got home safely. On this occasion the sea was calm but the weather can change very quickly. If you do go out in a small fishing boat or pleasure craft please make sure you have enough fuel for the trip, a means of communication (preferably a VHF radio) and always wear a life jacket.'

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.