Whitby Yacht Club help Whitby RNLI with hands on tow training.

Whitby RNLI's volunteer crews train every Wednesday night to ensure they are familiar with all the skills required to perform a rescue at sea in any eventuality.

One of the most common call outs along the Yorkshire coast for the Whitby crew is responding to maydays from vessels that have got into difficulty, some of these require a tow back to the harbour.

Last night (Wednesday 4 May) the local yacht club provided their workboat as a casualty and it was towed back to harbour by both the all-weather and inshore lifeboats.

Neil Williamson who is a member of the yacht club and Deputy Launch Authority at Whitby said: 'We we're happy to provide our work boat for the training exercise, the yacht club is regularly at sea off Whitby and knowing the RNLI are there should anyone get into trouble is a great reassurance.'

Coxswain Howard Fields said: 'Many thanks to the yacht club, Neil and Jens, for giving up their evening to help us train. The hands on experience for our crew is invaluable.'

The RNLI would like to remind those heading out to sea on any vessel to make sure their equipment is up to date, that they have suitable means of making contact in an emergency such as VHF radio, and most importantly to always wear a lifejacket. These simple measures can make all the difference in an emergency at sea.

For more information contact Lifeboat Press Officer Ceri Oakes on 07813359428 or at [email protected]

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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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.