Blackpool RNLI volunteers tow 17ft speedboat to safety
Blackpool RNLI volunteers were called out at 3.45pm on Thursday afternoon (28th May 2020) when a 17ft Fletcher speedboat suffered a breakdown near North Pier.
The vessel, with four people onboard, had set out from Knott End earlier in the day but fuel contamination caused the craft to breakdown and with no means of getting back to the shore they contacted HM Coastguard to request assistance.
Blackpool RNLI volunteers quickly launched the station’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat and took the speedboat under tow to Rossall point where they met Fleetwood RNLI lifeboat who took over the tow and returned the casualty vessel to safety.
Volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager, Keith Horrocks MBE said ‘fortunately this afternoon’s call out had a positive outcome and our volunteers, and those from Fleetwood RNLI lifeboat station, were able to tow the casualty vessel to safety.
We would urge anyone who is thinking of heading to the coast or planning to spend time in or on the water to stay alert, check the tides and their equipment, to carry a reliable means of calling for help and call 999 and ask for the Coastguard if they get into difficulty. You can find lots more safety information on the RNLI website at www.rnli.org/safety.’
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Esther Lowe Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, RNLI Blackpool on 01253 508603 or 07917091948.
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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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