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Douglas RNLI called out to assist in the recovery of a casualty from cliffs

Lifeboats News Release

Douglas RNLI volunteer crew were paged for the second time today (27 March) at 11.47pm to assist the Coastguard recover a casualty from cliffs.

All-weather lifeboat Sir William Hillary returning to Douglas harbour

RNLI/Michael Howland

All-weather lifeboat Sir William Hillary returning to Douglas harbour
What had started initially for the Coastguard as a search for a missing person turned into a recovery of that missing person from the foot of cliffs at the Toll gate on the Marine Drive.

In a moderate sea Deputy Second Coxswain Tony Radcliffe took the all-weather lifeboat, Sir William Hillary, out of Douglas harbour around to the cliffs below the Toll Gate to primarily assist the Coastguard by using the lifeboat's search lights to illuminate the scene.

Volunteer crew members Lavinia Washington and Peter Cowin used the lifeboat’s daughter boat, an inflatable dinghy, to go ashore to further assist the Coastguard.

After discussing the situation the decision was taken that in the circumstances the best course of action would be for the Coastguard to recover the casualty back up the cliffs to the Marine Drive.

With the casualty safely back on the Marine Drive, the dinghy and its crew along with one of the Coastguards returned to the lifeboat which then made its way back to Douglas.

Notes to editors
Caption for attached photo: All-weather lifeboat Sir William Hillary returning to Douglas harbour. Credit: RNLI/Michael Howland


RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Mike Howland, Douglas RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07624496029, email [email protected] or contact Nuala McAloon RNLI Regional Media Officer Ireland on 00353876483547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Regional Media Manager Ireland on 00353871254124 or [email protected]


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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