Lune launch for Morecambe’s volunteer lifeboat crew
At 11.25am on Friday 13 July 2018, HM Coastguard requested Morecambe’s RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew to go to the aid of two walkers reported to be cut off, by the incoming tide, on the causeway between Sunderland Point and Overton.
The inshore lifeboat and inshore rescue hovercraft proceeded by road to their launch site, near the Golden Ball Hotel at Snatchems, before making their way down river to the search area; supported by local coastguard teams searching from the shore. Both craft were stood down at approximately 1pm after it was confirmed by the coastguard that the reported casualties had been identified as having already waded safely ashore and were not in any danger.
Morecambe RNLI volunteer Deputy Launching Authority, Colin Midwinter, said ‘It appears that this incident was a false alarm with good intent and we would encourage the public, in the event of similar incidents, to always call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. It is better to be safe than sorry and, given the height and time of the tide on the causeway, the outcome today could have been very different.’
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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