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RNLI Wells all-weather lifeboat goes to the assistance of fishing boat

Lifeboats News Release

On Friday 9 July at 8.12am, HM Coastguard paged RNLI Wells all-weather lifeboat to rendezvous with a fishing vessel out at sea. The boat had two fisherman onboard rescued from another fishing vessel after requesting help.

Stock image of the Wells RNLI lifeboats

RNLI

Stock image of the Wells RNLI lifeboats

One of the fisherman had contacted the other local fishing boat by mobile phone to raise the alarm that they were feeling unwell and requested immediate assistance.

The fishing vessel was close by and transferred the two casualties onboard and away from the powerless boat. In near still sea conditions, they took the boat undertow and began to head back towards Wells.

The all-weather lifeboat was paged by Humber HM Coastguard at 8.12am and launched outside the boathouse at 8.29am. It quickly proceeded to sea to rendezvous with the assisting fishing vessel and arrived alongside at 9.02am where it transferred the casualties onboard.

The lifeboat crew assessed the fishermen's condition. Whilst their condition was not serious, they were suffering from breathing difficulties.

The lifeboat proceeded inwards at 9.05am and arrived in the outer harbour pontoons at 9.37am where the two fisherman were transferred to the boathouse awaiting the arrival of the ambulance and paramedics, who arrived at 9.45am.

After further medical evaluation it was agreed that the two fisherman should be taken to the local hospital to ensure they did not have any lasting effects.

On landing the two fishermen, the lifeboat proceeded to the boathouse and was ashore at 9.55am. It was refuelled, rehoused and ready for service again at 11.15am.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Justine Sykes, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07710510516 or [email protected] or Clare Hopps, Regional Media Officer on 07824 518641 or or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

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

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

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