Donate now

Training exercise turns into first callout for Janet at Largs RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

Sunday afternoon afloat training was interrupted for the volunteer crew at Largs RNLI when they were contacted by Belfast Coastguard, advising they were currently monitoring an active Personal Locator Beacon signal to the North of the lifeboats current position.

Photo of Janet standing in front of the stations Atlantic 85 lifeboat in full Inshore Lifeboat crew kit.

RNLI/Claire McRae

Trainee Crew member Janet Iqbal

The Coastguard requested that the lifeboat return to a position between Rothesay Bay and the East Kyles of Bute and make use of their onboard Radio Direction Finding equipment to see if they could pick up the beacon.

After being on scene and with nothing heard or seen the lifeboat updated the Coastguard.

At this time, Largs RNLI lifeboat crew were updated stating the beacon now looked to be further to the west, and it was the Coastguard's intentions to launch Tighnabruaich lifeboat and the Coastguard rescue helicopter from Prestwick.

Largs RNLI lifeboat were asked to travel to the southern end of the Island of Bute to see if they could hear any signal from that position.

Once the lifeboat crew had made their way to the end of Bute, they decided to progress round further to the west to give a better reception for any VHF signal, whilst here the lifeboat crew spoke to 3 yachts that had all travelled from the north, none had seen anything or were carrying any beacons that may have been activated in error.

As the helicopter and the crew of Tighnabruaich were searching further to the north, the helm of Largs RNLI lifeboat asked if there was anything further needed from the crew of Largs, and the Coastguard advised that as the signal was some distance away, Largs lifeboat and her crew could return to station with thanks.

Once back at the station trainee crewmember Janet commented on her first call out: 'After moving from Arran to Largs due to work commitments, I had been a little nervous on getting my first callout with a new crew. Thankfully, this call out seems to have been a false alarm and nothing serious.

'It was great to see how smoothly the call out went and how good the communication was between the crew.

'I would like to add that Personal Locator Beacons are becoming increasingly popular and with this comes the possibility of accidental triggering. If you do find this has happened, it is best to alert the local Coastguard advising what has happened and that all is well.'

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, Twitter 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.

Categories