RNLI Rye Harbour diverts speedily from a training session to a real shout
On Sunday afternoon 23 August 2020 the RNLI Rye Harbour lifeboat was up at Rock Channel in Rye on a training exercise when an immediate tasking call came through.
The RNLI lifeboat and volunteer crew were requested to attend an incident off Pett Level where a windsurfer was in difficulty 200-300 metres from the shore. A local lady at Pett Level had seen the windsurfer was in trouble and had called 999.
Matt Ellis, RNLI helm on the boat, said that they set off quickly down the river making best speed. The sea was moderate but there were high winds. When they arrived at Pett Level they made visual contact with PCSO Georghiou at the scene and he pointed to further down the beach. The area was searched but the casualty had made it back to shore by this time. Hello Herbie II returned to the Harbour and the Casualty Care training session continued.
Tia Bolton was one of the crew out training when her session turned into her first shout. Tia commented, 'It was absolutely brilliant to be able to take part in this shout. It was my first one since progressing from shore crew to boat crew. I look forward to many more shouts to come. All the hard work that we put into training paid off and it was good to be part of such a dedicated team.'
Paul Bolton LOM and also her father, said, 'It was great to see the crew back in training and I would like to thank all those who turned out and gave up their weekend to carry on the vital work of training whilst complying with all the Covid guidelines to keep them safe. This enables us to be a strong team and to respond quickly when called out as indeed we were this afternoon.'
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.
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