100th Launch for Plymouth RNLI and its not even school holidays yet.
The volunteers of Plymouth Lifeboat station launched on service to its 100th shout over the weekend with the rest of the RNLI station taking part in life jacket checks, safety advice and taking part in an event put on by Making waves together.
The inshore lifeboat (Annabel E Jones) and the volunteer crew launched on service to its 100th launch of 2019. A speed boat with 2 persons on board that had ventured too close to the shore line resulting in the vessel going side on and filled with water from the waves. The 2 persons on board managed to swim ashore and call for help.
The ILB quickly arrived on scene, established a tow line and used the pump to empty the vessel of water. Casualty vessel and 2 persons taken back to Mount batten.
It has been a busy weekend for Plymouth RNLI with the Community Safety team attending Yacht Haven Marina open day carrying out free lifejacket checks and giving safety advice.
Members of the public got to watch 4 volunteer crew from Plymouth RNLI accept a challenge by Devon & Cornwall Police to walk along a slack line (tight rope)...over water!
The event was run by the Making Waves Together project, a Sport England match funded inclusive project targeting families in the most deprived postcodes of Plymouth to engage with water sports, as a family.
Tors Froud, Project Manager is also DLA for Plymouth Lifeboat and in Britain's Ocean City, where 54% of people can't swim, so the crossover between the RNLI, Police and Project is essential. Tombstoning from Plymouth's Waterfront is evident in the summer months so safe water entry was paramount during the Waterlining Festival; as was fun! Wearing helmets, wetsuits and PDF supplied by the Mount Batten Centre, 4 members of Plymouth RNLI, including the Mechanic, the Snr ILB helm, and the newest trainee member of the crew took to the lines, having had a safety briefing by the deliver team at RU Slack.
Cheered on by the Coxswain, the Deputy Coxswain and 2 other crew members, with the 'Get Soaked' safety message. The Police actually won the Waterlining challenge until the pagers went off and the ILB got called out on a shout. Working with the RNLI, the Police, Coastsafe, RNLI lifeguards, the National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth and SLSGB: the Making Waves Together project encompasses sea safety, healthy active lifestyles, maritime education whilst enjoying time as a family.
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 over 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 142,200 lives.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone John Baldry, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07792649768 or [email protected] or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Media Manager on 07920818807 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.