Withernsea RNLI tows vessel to safety
Withernsea's RNLI volunteers were called to take over the tow of a local pleasure craft, after another vessel had towed it towards Withernsea from 10 miles out.
On Sunday 8 July, shortly before 3pm, Withernsea's RNLI volunteers were paged for the second time in three days by the UK Coastguard, on this occasion to a vessel that had broken down north east of Withernsea.
Bridlington's Shannon Class lifeboat was also launched to the same vessel as it's original reported position was 10 miles north east of Withernsea.
As both lifeboats headed towards the casualty vessel, a nearby fisherman began to tow the broken down vessel back towards Withernsea. Withernsea's volunteer crew of four located both boats shortly after launching, four miles east of Withernsea. As a result, Bridlington Lifeboat was stood down and released to return home.
Withernsea Lifeboat took over the tow of the broken down vessel and shortly after, recovered it back to Withernsea beach.
Volunteer Helmsman Matthew Woodhouse said: 'Sunday's call out was as relatively straight forward as call outs come. We found the casualty vessel fairly quickly as they were being towed in by another local boat.
'Sunday's call out was the first for one of our newest crew, so it was really pleasing to see them put all their recent training into practice. As volunteers we train twice a week to ensure we're ready should we be needed.'
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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