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Busy week for New Brighton RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

Volunteer crews at New Brighton RNLI have been put through their paces this last week, with no fewer than 6 shouts in 7 days.

New Brighton RNLI's volunteer crew can be seen aboard the Atlantic-85 lifeboat. In the background is a forested area on the coast.

RNLI/Connor Wray

New Brighton RNLI's Atlantic-85 lifeboat out on the river.

On the evening of Tuesday 15 August the pager sounded for the crew of New Brighton's Atlantic-85 B-class lifeboat at around 7:30pm. This was to reports of a male walking alone and at risk of being cut off by the tide on the North Bank, off Leasowe beach. The first informant, who is herself a volunteer with New Brighton RNLI, walked out to the casualty with her father, also a volunteer with the RNLI, to warn him of the dangers and escort him to the safety of the centre of the bank. Whilst en route, they were able to divert a second group of walkers to safety just in time. The lifeboat crew recovered all three from the bank and returned them to safety.

This was the beginning of a busy week for New Brighton's volunteer crew. Whilst still on call, crews were tasked by the Coastguard to a second incident in the Seacombe area. After a short search, the Coastguard were satisfied that all were safe and the lifeboat returned to station once more.

The following day, Wednesday 16 August, the pager sounded once again for New Brighton RNLI, at around 8pm, though they were stood down by the Coastguard as they reached the waterline as the casualties had reached safety.

On the following afternoon, Thursday 17 August, the familiar sound of the pager arrived at around 2pm, calling the crew to save lives at sea once again. This time to reports of a lone, pregnant casualty who had drifted out to sea on a small inflatable. After a quick and efficient launch, both the casualty and the inflatable were recovered with no injuries.

There were a few days respite for the volunteer crew over the weekend, before another tasking at around 7pm on Tuesday 22 August to reports of a man wading out into the waters off Crosby, near to the mouth of the River Alt. The casualty turned out to be a local fisherman, and crews from New Brighton and Hoylake RNLI, who were both in attendance, were satisfied that there was no danger present.

Later that same evening the pagers would sound for the final time in this busy week, at 10:15pm. Tasked by the Coastguard to carry out brief searches in the Crosby area, all assets in attendance, from the Coastguard and Marine Fire service, were satisfied that the casualties were safe.

Helm Mike Stannard said:
'We know that August is a busy time, with lots of people heading to the coast to make the most of holidays and the better weather. This busy period just shows the importance of vigilance around the water, and how crucial it is to always visit a lifeguarded beach.'

Remember, if you see someone in trouble on the water, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Our volunteer crews are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, to head out and save lives at sea.

Notes to Editors:

New Brighton RNLI was established in 1863 in the bustling seaside resort of New Brighton, on the north east corner of the Wirral peninsula. They cover the River Mersey and out into the Irish Sea.

The station is home to a B-class Atlantic 85 lifeboat, one of the fastest in the RNLI fleet. The crews at New Brighton have been presented with a remarkable 48 awards for gallantry to date.

RNLI Media Contacts:

Connor Wray – Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer

07756553092

[email protected]

New Brighton RNLI's Atlantic-85 lifeboat can be seen, bow toward the camera, on the water. To the right hand side, two crew are preparing to recover a training dummy aboard the boat.

RNLI/Connor Wray

Volunteer crews recover a training casualty.
Sunset can be seen in the background. The subject is New Brighton RNLI's Atlantic-85 lifeboat raised on its carriage, being washed and prepared for service once again.

RNLI/Connor Wray

The lifeboat at New Brighton RNLI is returned to station and readied for service.

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.

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