Barrow RNLI Lifeboats Launched to Assist Search at Walney Island
Volunteer crew from the RNLI’s Barrow Lifeboat Station launched both of their lifeboats late yesterday evening to assist in the search for a person after concerns were raised for the individual’s welfare.
The call for assistance came through from the regional HM Coastguard base in Holyhead at 9-50pm. The Coastguard requested the lifeboats to launch and proceed to the west side of Walney Island to support shore-based local Coastguard units and emergency services who were already searching the area.
The crew was paged and the inshore lifeboat, ‘Vision of Tamworth’, was launched at 10-01pm with Jonny Long at the helm assisted by Ben Jackson and Paul Wilcock. This was followed by the all-weather lifeboat, ‘Grace Dixon’, which was launched at 10-15pm under the command of Coxswain, Shaun Charnley, assisted by a crew of six.
The lifeboats made their way to the west side of Walney Island where the ‘Vision of Tamworth’ conducted a search of the shoreline heading north with the ‘Grace Dixon’ standing by to provide support as required. At 10-40pm, information was received from Cumbria Police who reported that the individual had been located and was safe and well. The lifeboats were stood down and returned to the Lifeboat Station at 11-15pm where they were rehoused by the waiting slip crew and made ready for the next launch.
The weather at the time of the incident was fine and the wind was west-north-westerly, Force 3. High water was at 11-16pm with a predicted height of 9.1 metres.
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.