RNLI Hoylake Hovercraft recovers three casualties safely ashore in Flint

The small motorboat had three people on board. Flint RNLI’s D class lifeboat Lady Barbara had been tasked and was heading to the scene half a mile north of Flint Castle with guidance from the Flint Coastguard Rescue Team. Since the tide was on its way out, Hoylake Hovercraft Hurley Spirit was also requested to assist.

The hovercraft and her volunteer crew launched immediately and headed to the scene, where the three casualties had been safely taken onboard Flint Lifeboat. However with the low tide making the area difficult for the inshore lifeboat to navigate, the decision was made to transfer them onto Hoylake Hovercraft. The hovercraft brought the three casualties ashore at Greenfield Dock, where they were handed over to Flint Coastguard officers.

With the casualties safely ashore and requiring no further assistance, the hovercraft and her crew returned to the grounded motorboat to check its condition and gather further details for the Coastguard before heading back to the Hoylake station.

Hoylake RNLI volunteer hovercraft commander Harry Jones said: “Although the state of the tide made this a challenging rescue, by working closely with our colleagues from Flint RNLI lifeboat station and the Coastguard Rescue Team we were all able to ensure three people could be returned safely to the shore.”

When heading out around the coast in any kind of water craft, it’s always important to check the weather and tides and make sure that you have lifejackets and appropriate safety equipment with you.

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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For more information please telephone Victoria Phipps, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07709 391 253 or email [email protected]. Eleri Roberts, RNLI Regional Media Officer on 07771941390 or email [email protected] or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789.

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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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