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Birthday 'shout' for Withernsea RNLI crewman

Lifeboats News Release

On Sunday 14 May, Withernsea RNLI volunteers were called out to aid a stricken jet ski that was drifting out to sea.

RNLI/Darren Hickey

Withernsea lifeboat tows in the stricken jet ski
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At 5:23pm Withernsea's volunteers were paged by the UK Coastguard after reports that a jet ski was drifting out to sea south of Withernsea, with one person on board.

The crew of four launched shortly after and quickly located the jet ski and its occupant. A quick medical assessment was carried out and a towline established between the lifeboat and the jet ski. The jet ski was then towed back to Withernsea safely where the volunteers helped recover the jet ski on to its trailer and away from the beach.

The call out was a special one for volunteer Helmsman Matthew Woodhouse, who was celebrating his 30th birthday when the pager sounded. He said:'You never know when the pagers will go off, today was a great example of how it can happen at any time. Birthdays, special occasions, Christmas - were always on call.

'We had conducted a towing exercise only a few hours before the 'shout', so the crew knew exactly what to do - they were great'.

RNLI Media contacts
For more information please contact RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Matthew Woodhouse on:
07875 485784.

RNLI/Darren Hickey

The jet ski back on the beach
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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

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About the author

Matthew Woodhouse
Lifeboat Press Officer, Withernsea Lifeboat Station

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