RNLI Hoylake Hovercraft launched to search for a suspected missing person.
On the evening of 26 March volunteers from RNLI Hoylake Lifeboat station were tasked by the UK Coastguard to participate in a joint agency search after reports were received by a member of the public concerned about a person seen walking towards the sea.
The Hoylake RNLI Lifeboat Station received a call from the UK Coastguard requesting they muster in immediate readiness, pending further information about a possible pedestrian casualty on the beach. After further discussion with the Coastguard and Police at the RNLI Lifeboat Station, Hoylake’s Hovercraft was launched at 21:28 pm.
Four Hovercraft crew volunteers scoured the tideline of the East Hoyle Bank, whilst a Police Helicopter searched overhead. Two Coastguard Rescue Teams also attended and set off white illuminating flares to increase visibility. After an extensive search of the tideline no one was found and the Coastguard and Police agreed to stand all units down at 22:25 pm.
Hovercraft Commander, Chris Williams, said ‘Praise should go to the member of the public who alerted the Coastguard to the possible missing person. It’s always better to be safe than sorry in these situations and we’re pleased to have been able to assist with the search.”
There are just four RNLI inshore rescue hovercrafts in operation across the UK. They can reach areas inaccessible to conventional lifeboats, often operating where the water is too shallow for boats and therefore extending the RNLI’s lifesaving capability around the coast.
Volunteers of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution are on standby 24 hours a day ready to fulfil their duty in search and rescue operations.
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For more information please contact Victoria Phipps, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on: 07709 391253.
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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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