Hoylake RNLI volunteers respond to report of person in the water off Leasowe
At 19:32 on 21st of August the volunteer crew from RNLI Hoylake were tasked to assist in a multi-agency operation to investigate reports of a person in the water. Hoylake RNLI Hovercraft, New Brighton RNLI Lifeboat, UK Coastguard and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service all attended the scene.
On arrival at the scene off Leasowe Golf Club, the Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team quickly established a visual on a number of people in shallow water in gullies on the beach. With the tide ebbing and the weather overcast but relatively calm, the group seemed in no immediate danger.
On arrival RNLI Hoylake’s Hovercraft H-005 Hurley Spirit joined Coastguard Rescue and Fire Service Officers and approached the group to ensure all was well. RNLI New Brighton Lifeboat stood by off Leasowe in case their assistance was required.
The group were fishing and in no difficulty, however based on Coastguard advice it was decided they should be returned safely to shore on board the RNLI hovercraft. The North West Ambulance Service and their Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) were waiting to deliver any medical attention, but all members of the group were well so happily their services were not required.
Once the group were safely ashore all agencies stood down and the RNLI Hoylake hovercraft returned to the station to be washed down and made ready for service once again.
Volunteer RNLI Hovercraft Commander, Matt Schanck, said: “The incident was a false alarm reported with good intent and it was encouraging to see so many agencies reacting so quickly and working together to respond to the call. We always advise dialling 999 to ask for the Coastguard if you believe someone is in trouble on the coast; better safe than sorry.”
Volunteers of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution are on standby ready to fulfil their duty in search and rescue operations 24 hours a day.
Notes to editors
- Hoylake lifeboat station has been operating since 1803. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/hoylake-lifeboat-station
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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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