Blessing of the Boats interrupted by call to action for RNLI crew
The RNLI St Helier all-weather lifeboat was called out part-way through Sunday evening's Blessing of the Boats at St Aubin's Harbour to assist a broken down motor boat.
The motorboat, which had 5 persons on board, including a toddler, had lost power and had been taken under tow by a local boat. The St Helier lifeboat was tasked with taking over the tow and bringing the stricken casualty vessel back to St Helier. Whilst the conditions were good with a low swell, the spring tide was still flooding and the boats were struggling to punch against the current.
The crew were mingling with the attending congregation at the conclusion of the service when the Jersey Coastguard requested the assistance of the all-weather lifeboat through the RNLI's Deputy Launch Authority, who was also present. Making their apologies to the Rector of St Brelade's Parish Church and the attending congregation, the crew slipped their moorings and made their way to the two boats, which were by that time just to the north of the Canger Rock Buoy. The lifeboat crew took over the tow and then brought the casualty safely back to St Helier.
The all-weather lifeboat was then refuelled and prepared for her next service.
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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