St Bees RNLI launch to motor vessel in difficulty

On a sunny afternoon, St Bees RNLI were tasked by HM Coastguard to assess a vessel stricken with engine failure half a mile from St Bees Head.

The vessel was en route from Barrow to the Port of Workington when it broke down. The lifeboat was promptly launched and the volunteer crew quickly located the casualty vessel. The helm assessed the situation and concluded the best course of action was to tow the vessel to the nearest safe harbour. A tow line was then established and the vessel was escorted to Whitehaven.

Upon reaching Whitehaven, it became clear that entry to the harbour would not be possible due to insufficient water at low tide. The decision was then made to instead tow the vessel to Workington Harbour further up the coast. On arrival the crew were met by the local Coastguard and the casualty vessel was safely placed on a mooring.

Dick Beddows, Lifeboat Operations Manager at St Bees RNLI, says ‘The crew of the vessel did the right thing and called for assistance as soon as they got into difficulty. When heading out to sea, always carry a means of communication and wear a lifejacket.’

Notes to editors

● St Bees lifeboat station has been operating since 1970. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to http://www.rnli.org.uk/StBees

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For more information please telephone Colin Wadey, St Bees RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07742207222 [email protected] email deputy lifeboat Press Officer Joe Raymond [email protected] or Claire Elshaw, Regional Media Officer on 07468 353082 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

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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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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 142,700 lives.