St Ives RNLI lifeboat crew train with Porthmeor RNLI lifeguards
Inorder to ensure that contingency plans are in place to deal with all possible eventualities the St Ives Lifeboat crew worked closely with the Porthmeor RNLI lifeguards on a training exercise.
The aim of the exercise was to test the local operating procedures in recovering a lifeguard vehicle bogged down on Porthmeor beach by using the RNLI lifeboat tractor.
The exercise dealt with two different scenarios (a) vehicle stuck in wet sand and (b) vehicle embedded in dry sand on the upper part of the beach.
Both St Ives RNLI Coxswain Rob Cocking, and the charity's lifeguards and found it to be an invaluable and successful exercise in the knowledge that if such a problem arose in the future, procedures would be in place to bring about a positive outcome.
The RNLI has provided a lifeboat service since 1824 and is recognised as a world leader in the provision of offshore search and rescue through a predominantly volunteer based organisation and funded totally through private donations. In 2001, the RNLI decided to expand its remit to include beach lifeguarding to provide an integrated lifesaving service from the beach to the open sea.
Such an exercise as stated above is further proof of the TEAM work employed between the various sectors of the RNLI.
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.