Hartlepool RNLI rescue two people from sinking boat
Hartlepool RNLI’s all weather lifeboat and volunteer crew were paged by Humber Coastguard at 1.24pm on Friday 4th February to assist two adults whose 5 metre pleasure boat was in danger of sinking.
The vessel and its two occupants had earlier sailed from Kafiga Landings at the Headland, Hartlepool.
The all weather lifeboat 'Betty Huntbatch' and volunteer crew launched at 1.40pm and were alongside the casualty vessel at 1.45pm. The two adults who were very wet and cold after their ordeal were taken aboard the lifeboat where one of them received casualty care.
The all weather lifeboat returned to the Ferry Road boathouse with the boat in tow where an ambulance and paramedics were waiting to assess the casualties who were later allowed to return home.
Deputy second coxswain and station mechanic Garry Waugh said "The boat appears to have been caught in a squall which knocked the front windows out and the incoming waves damaged the electric supply leaving the boat dead in the water. The couple were rather stressed but delighted to see us when we reached them as they were in danger of sinking."
Hartlepool RNLI lifeboat operations manager Chris Hornsey said "This is typical of the sort of incident we constantly train for. The volunteer crew did a brilliant job and I hope the two casualties recover from their ordeal."
Hartlepool Coastguard Rescue Team also attended the incident.
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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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