St Bees RNLI launched to help search for a missing person.

The RNLI volunteers were asked to look for the missing person between Fleswick Bay and Whitehaven Harbour. In difficult conditions St Bees lifeboat crew along with their colleagues from the Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team carried out an extensive shoreline search, All search and rescue teams were stood down after being informed by Cumbria Police that the missing person had been found safe.

While St Bees lifeboat was out searching for the missing person a wind surfer got caught up in a squall and was seen being dragged along the beach close to the lifeboat station. RNLI volunteers made their way along the beach to assist the wind surfer and help him back to the lifeboat station. Members of the shore crew then administered first aid before his friends who had remained on the beach to recover his kit took him home.

St Bees Lifeboat Operations Manager Dick Beddows said ‘This search and rescue operation was a great example of the Cumbrian emergency services working well together’. Adding ‘I am also pleased we were on hand to help the kite surfer and hope he makes a quick recovery’.

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.