First call of the year for Lymington RNLI

Launching shortly thereafter into a chilly night with a North Westerly Force 3/4 breeze, the crew aboard Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat B-882 David Bradley conducted a prolonged search of the western Solent for the white rigid inflatable boat, which had reported itself to be sinking.

The search was undertaken in conjunction with Lymington's RNLI flank station at Yarmouth, the coastguard helicopter from Lee on Solent and shore teams.

Despite all the efforts applied to this search, nothing was found leading to the view that this first shout of the year was probably, regrettably a hoax.

Lymington lifeboat returned to station and was readied for further service shortly before 5.00am.

RNLI Media Contacts:

• Peter Mills, Lymington RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer 07767 213583 [email protected]
• Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 email [email protected]

· For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789 email: [email protected]

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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