New Brighton Lifeboat responds to barge breaking free from moorings

New Brighton lifeboat were tasked last night by UK Coastguard to assist with a large crane/barge that had broken free from its moorings at the 12 Quays, Birkenhead. The lifeboat crew responded in conjunction with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Marine Fire 1.

The crew arrived on scene however due to the sheer size of the vessel they coordinated response to re-secure the barge via the UK Coastguard and other marine agencies.

New Brighton RNLI volunteers remained on scene providing cover for the partner agencies until the barge was towed and secured onto moorings at Langton Dock.

Mark Greensmith, Deputy Launching Authority for RNLI New Brighton says: ‘This was particularly difficult deployment as the Lifeboat crew were experiencing rough weather conditions due to the tail end of Storm Atiyah. The crew displayed some excellent teamwork with Mersey Fire and Rescue, UK Coastguard and other partner agencies to re-secure the barge to an alternative mooring before substantial damage was caused’

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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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