Four rescues in a weekend for Whitby RNLI lifeboat.
Broken down boats, tide cut offs and tow jobs kept Whitby's volunteer crew busy this weekend (Saturday 12th June)
The all-weather lifeboat was launched to the vessel with two people and a dog on board. The crew were unable to cut the yacht free so they established a tow and pulled it to sea and the rope, which was around the keel, came free. The yacht was then able to make its way back to Whitby unaided.
On the Saturday (12 June) the crew were paged when reports came in of two people cut off by the tide between Whitby and Robin Hood's Bay.
The casualties were located along with Whitby Coastguard and brought back to safety in the inshore lifeboat. They were given safety advice at the lifeboat station.
The next day (Sunday 13 June) the RNLI crew were paged around tea time after a member of the public raised concerns for two walkers between Whitby and Robin Hood's Bay. The informant had seen them begin their walk and were concerned that they may get caught out by the approaching tide.
On this occasion the lifeboat crews assistance was not required but the crew were grateful to the informant for their concern and acting upon it which is always the safest option.
During the last shout the crew were then paged to a speedboat taking on water near Tate Hill beach. The boat was within the harbour so the inshore lifeboat assisted its passage to the nearby Marina for repair.
Whitby RNLI acting Coxswain Mark Frankland said: 'It was a busy weekend for our volunteers, which we often see with the warmer weather. We'd like to remind people to always check their equipment before heading out to sea and to always carry a means of calling for help, likewise when on the coastline, plan your route check the tide times and also make sure you have a way of calling for help. With quick thinking we can get to a situation within minutes and make sure it is a safe outcome for everyone. Thank you to the public for their vigilance and concern - and to the Coastguard for all their assistance'.
For more information contact Lifeboat Press Officer Ceri Oakes on [email protected] or on 07813359428
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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