Bridlington RNLI lifeboat volunteers involved in multi-agency rescue
Bridlington RNLI's new Shannon lifeboat was requested by HM coastguard after a small fishing boat with a crew of two sank six miles off the East Yorkshire coast.
As the lifeboat crew were leaving the boathouse news came through that the two fishermen had put on their life jackets and their vessel was sinking fast.
This was to be the first call for new Shannon lifeboat Antony Patrick Jones and after months of training the crews would now be able to see how the new boat responded to a real incident.
On arrival at the scene just over six miles from Bridlington, the lifeboat crew found HM coastguard helicopter and other vessels had responded to the Mayday incident, as had Hornsea Rescue. One of the boats, a local fishing boat, and its crew had managed to lift the two men from the sea in what was tricky conditions.
It was decided between the lifeboat Coxswain and the fishing boat skipper that it would probably be better for the two men to be transferred to the lifeboat.
Once aboard the lifeboat the two men were given warm drinks, clothing and footware after they had kicked off their boots to help stay afloat.
On arrival at Bridlington harbour the lifeboat crew handed over the two survivors to a waiting coastguard team.
Following the multi-agency rescue, the lifeboat returned to the scene to pick up as much debris as possible before the crew were stood down.
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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