Morecambe lifeboat launched to rescue cyclist cut off by the tide
At 11.25am on Friday 23 March 2018, HM Coastguard requested Morecambe’s RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew to go to the aid of a cyclist who was reported to be on Kent’s Bank, a sandbank in the middle of the bay, and at risk of being cut off by the incoming tide.
Against a wind too strong to deploy their inshore rescue hovercraft, the inshore lifeboat was launched in challenging conditions; the crew having to navigate their way through channels between sandbanks that had not yet been covered by the flooding tide. Arriving on scene, they informed the coastguard control room that there was no sign of the reported casualty, which was confirmed by shore based coastguard team members, and they were stood down and returned to station.
Morecambe RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager, Kevin Jackson, said ‘On this occasion it appears that the incident was a false alarm with good intent but it is always better to be safe than sorry.’
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.