Withernsea RNLI early morning joint lifesaving training exercise

The lifesaving skills that the multiple organisations use are all similar, yet are put into practice in different ways. During the training exercise, the crews practised various techniques for casualty recovery using their own first aid equipment.

The lifesaving crews engaged with each other throughout the morning. Helmsman Sean Bell from Withernsea Lifeboat station commented: 'The exercise our station was involved in was an excellent opportunity to work with both HM Coastguard Withernsea and the RNLI Lifeguards from the east coast stations.

'It gave us a chance to show a small glimpse of what we can deliver and for us to see what other agencies have to offer as well. I am personally looking forward to more exercises of this nature in the near future. It gives us all a feeling of confidence knowing we work with like minded people towards the ultimate goal of coastal safety and saving lives as sea and along the coastline.'

Alex Richardson RNLI Lead Lifeguard Supervisor said: 'We always encourage people to swim on a lifeguarded beach and between the red and yellow flags as this is the safest part to swim. As a team we all enjoy working alongside the lifeboat crew and today was a good experience to be a part of the joint exercise and also great to work with the HM Coastguard Withernsea.'

Ann Bell Deputy Station Officer from HM Coastguard Withernsea commented: ‘It was a very useful exercise and the first of many to come we hope. The Coastguard, RNLI Lifeboat and RNLI Lifeguards are not set up to work in isolation from each other, we are all here to achieve the same end which is keeping our local residents and visitors safe along our coastline. The more we understand about how each other works as a group and know their capabilities, the better the outcome for everybody’.

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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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