Douglas RNLI lifeboat crew assist in rescue of holidaymakers

The two visitors had gone down onto the stabits at the back of Douglas Breakwater earlier in the evening to do some fishing. However, a heavy shower of rain made the stabits too slippery for the holidaymakers to climb back up. When one of the two actually slipped on the stabits injuring a leg the pair called 999 to ask for assistance.

As part of the joint emergency services response Douglas RNLI all-weather lifeboat Marine Engineer was launched under the command of volunteer coxswain Graeme Cushnie. With the lifeboat unable to get close enough to the stabits volunteer crewmen James Bettridge and Michael Kaighen used the lifeboat’s daughter boat, an inflatable dinghy, to reach the casualties and transfer them to the lifeboat.

The lifeboat crew returned the casualties to the Visitor Pontoon on the Breakwater where Douglas Coastguards and Paramedics were waiting to assess and assist the casualties.

Notes to editors
Caption for attached photo: Douglas all-weather lifeboat Marine Engineer off Douglas Breakwater. Credit: RNLI/Douglas Coastguard

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Mike Howland, Douglas RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07624496029, email [email protected] or contact Nuala McAloon RNLI Regional Media Officer Ireland on 00353876483547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Regional Media Manager Ireland on 00353871254124 or [email protected]

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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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