Not your typical day for the RNLI Lifeboat in Salcombe.
It is Regatta week, and the town is buzzing with visitors and Fireworks are due in the evening!
Our Fundraising Crew set up their annual open-air stall, the volunteer crew give guided tours of both the ALB and ILB lifeboats, whilst others set about organising the annual crew BBQ.
Around 7 p.m. the burgers are sizzling nicely, and families start to arrive laughter and stories abound as the firework display gets closer when suddenly we are reminded of our role in the community, the sound of pagers interrupts. All else is dropped and folks go into prepare to launch mode – a child has had a fall and suffered injuries to his arm. He needs to be brought across a busy harbour for onward transfer to hospital, with support in clearing a channel from an already stretched harbour staff its dealt with.
A different kind of day for the crew but a satisfied day for all, with special thanks from two very worried parents.
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.