St Bees RNLI involved in a major multi agency operation at St Bees beach

The St Bees lifeboat Joy Morris MBE was immediately launched and began searching around St Bees Head. The remaining crew, wearing dry suits and life jackets, began searching along the shoreline.

A major search and rescue operation was soon underway when both Whitehaven and Maryport Coastguard, along with the Coastguard Search & Rescue Helicopter 912 joined St Bees RNLI in the search. Workington RNLI was also launched joining forces with the crew of St Bees lifeboat using their searchlights to check along the cliffs around St Bees Head. West Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service soon arrived helping with the search using their thermal imaging equipment and supplying additional lighting. Cumbria Police, along with their dog handlers and West Cumbria Ambulance Service, made this a major multi agency operation.

After an extensive search along the coastline, further out to sea and around St Bees Head nothing was found so all the teams were stood down.

Dick Beddows St Bees RNLI Operations Manager said ‘This was a great example of all the emergency services working together’.

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.