Forty two lifejackets found defective at Eastbourne RNLI safety event.
A lifejacket clinic held recently by the RNLI in Eastbourne's Sovereign Harbour discovered more than half of the lifejackets checked to see if they were still working properly were defective, potentially rendering them useless.
Over 70 lifejackets were presented and the RNLI volunteers, adherring to social distancing, verbally guided the owners thorough how to check for wear and tear and how to maintain their lifejackets.
Not surprising, given the lack of recent use, some 42 lifejackets were found to have defects, potentially rendering them useless.
David Phillips of Eastbourne RNLI Water Safety Team said:
‘A lifejacket is a vital piece of lifesaving equipment for those engaged in water activities. If you are unfortunate enough to end up in the water, a lifejacket will keep you afloat until our volunteer crews are able to rescue you.
It is crucial therefore that these are maintained in working order'.
'I’d also like to thank SHBA for donating the £90 collected from teas and coffees to the RNLI. We are a charity and rely on donations to be able to carry out our lifesaving operations’.
Sue Sidney, chairman of SHBA said: ‘This was a win/win situation for us, with members being shown out to check an maintain lifejackets. We hope to hold a similar event later in the year’.
Media contacts:
Craig Robinson, Eastbourne RNLI Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer (07956) 638924 [email protected]
Daniel Baldock, Eastbourne RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer (07895) 369688 [email protected] [email protected]
Paul Dunt, RNLI Regional Media Officer London London and South East (07785) 296252 [email protected]
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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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