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Teddington RNLI and pleasure boat train for multi-casualty incident

Lifeboats News Release

Teddington RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew and the crew from Kingston Turks Launches came together on 31 January 2023 in an exercise to ensure that they would seamlessly work together if needed to in the future.

Two lifeboats and crew discussing their plan of action

Ollie G Monk

Crew assess situation and come up with plan of action

Teddington 10 February 2023

The Thames-based exercise focused on a multi-casualty incident as well as an engine breakdown. The scenario was that the Yarmouth Belle’s engine cut out in the middle of the river and wouldn’t start again, along with some passengers needing urgent medical attention. Yarmouth Belle skipper, Shane Waller dialled 999 to ask for the Coastguard who, in turn, tasked the Teddington RNLI Lifeboat crew to attend.

On arrival, the volunteer crew attended to the ‘casualties’: amongst whom were a member of the public with leg, arm and head injuries and another with a hypoglycaemic episode associated with diabetes. As the casualties were being assessed and treated, the two D class RNLI lifeboats helmed by Toby Banks and Samantha Armatage skilfully towed the 25 metre long Yarmouth Belle safely back to its base allowing the casualties to be handed over to 'London Ambulance'.

Tim James, the RNLI helm who organised the scenario said: 'These exercises are a vital part of ensuring that our all-volunteer crews are the best trained they possibly can be as they prepare to save lives on the Thames. This was one of the best executed events I've had the pleasure to organise and this in large part was down to impeccable communication and professionalism of everyone involved'.

Shane, Yarmouth Belle skipper added: 'During the evening exercise I felt extremely proud of the both crews and lucky to be taking part in working with the RNLI lifeboats from Teddington. The professionalism, passion and effort they put in during the exercise and what they do on a daily basis should be commended. As a skipper on the Thames and seeing their work on that night, I feel extremely grateful and safe knowing that if we need them they are there no matter what the weather conditions or the time. I know that we, and our passengers, will be in the safest of hands. The work that they do is so important and I can’t thank them enough for it.'

If you see someone in danger in or around the River Thames, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

RNLI Media Contacts:

Gianna Saccomani, Lifeboat Press Officer, Teddington Lifeboat Station (07798) 905515 [email protected]

Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer, London and the South East (07785) 296252 [email protected]

For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit http://www.rnli.org/. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre.

Key facts about the RNLI

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 237 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 180 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.

The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.

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 or by email.

 The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland.

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 142,700 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.

About the author
Gianna Saccomani
Lifeboat Press Officer, Teddington Lifeboat Station



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'Casualty' pretending to be in great pain whilst being assessed

Ollie G Monk

'Casualty' being assessed by casualty care trained lifeboat crew.
Turks Skipper Shane Waller standing next to Samantha Armatage wearing RNLI dry suit, lifejacket and helmet.

Ollie G Monk

Turks Skipper Shane Waller alongside Samantha Armatage, one of the RNLI helms.

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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