First service call for new helm at Walmer RNLI

On reaching the vessel and at first seeing no-one on board Duggie Rodbard II circled the yacht to attract attention and were told that one of the three people on board had been taken ill. A lifeboat crew member was put on the yacht and immediately ascertained that none of the three were showing symptoms of Covid. The vessel had been on its way from Walton to Portishead.

The casualty was taken on board the lifeboat and safely transferred to the lifeboat station where they recovered after being checked over by casualty-care trained crew.

This call marked the first opportunity as helm for Walmer volunteer Ed Benson since his pass out in October last year.

Notes to editors

Walmer lifeboat station was established in1856.

It currently operates two inshore lifeboats – a B Class Atlantic 85 Donald McLauchlan and a smaller D Class Duggie Rodbard II.

Crews have received 28 Awards for Gallantry

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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