Real life rescue unfolds at Rye Harbour RNLI lifeboat station open day
Crowds who attended Rye Harbour RNLI open day witnessed the crew get diverted from a demonstration to rescue a father and his two young children when their small dinghy's outboard motor failed in the River Rother.
As everyone was enjoying Stormy Sam, the RNLI mascot, dancing with the Cinque Ports Morris Men the new inshore lifeboat, Hello Herbie II, was being put through its paces on the River Rother.
As the volunteer crew sped towards the river mouth they spotted a small inflatable dinghy in difficulty, with an man and two small children on board. As they gave assistance to hold the dinghy off the river bank it became obvious that the outboard motor refused to start, so they took the two children on board the lifeboat and towed the dinghy back to the safety of the lifeboat slipway.
This was the first rescue carried out under the control of the new Lifeboat Operations Manager, Tony Edwards, who said: ‘This wasn’t the most difficult task for the crew volunteers to undertake but we are here to ensure the safety of all members of the public in all circumstances. Events such as this can quickly escalate out of control and can become dangerous, especially in such a small vessel with two young children on board.
'The open day was very enjoyable for all who attended and Rye Harbour RNLI are very are grateful to everyone who gave their time and effort to make it a success.'
Respect the Water is the RNLI’s drowning prevention campaign. It highlights the risks, advises how to avoid danger and survive in an emergency situation. Know what to do – visit RNLI.org/RespectTheWater
RNLI media contacts
- Steve Griffin, RNLI Rye Harbour Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, 07710 297606/ [email protected]
- Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/South East/East), 0207 6207426 / 07785 296252 / [email protected]
- Paul Dunt, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207416, 07786 668825, [email protected]
- For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer 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.
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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.