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Andrew takes the helm at Largs RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

After passing out as helm on Tuesday 4 July Andrew Malone helmed the lifeboat for his first shout less than a week later.

Largs RNLI Helm - Andrew Malone

RNLI/Nick Mailer

Largs RNLI Helm - Andrew Malone

On Monday 10 July at 11:20pm just as many of the volunteers at Largs RNLI were heading to bed their pagers sounded.

HM Coastguard requested Largs RNLI’s inshore lifeboat ‘R.A.Wilson’ launch in response to a 25 foot boat near to Weymss Bay suffering from engine failure.

At the lifeboat station Andrew took charge as helm of the lifeboat, with three volunteer crew onboard, for the first time launching into the dark night and making best speed to the last known location of the casualty vessel.

On arrival it was established that all three persons onboard were safe and well, however the vessel was unable to make progress.

Andrew made the decision the safest option would be to tow the casualty vessel to the nearest safe haven, Inverkip Marina. One of the volunteer crew from Largs RNLI boarded the casualty vessel and a tow was safely carried out.

Largs lifeboat then returned to the lifeboat station where it was cleaned, refuelled and made ready for service.

Andrew said: ‘On July 4 2023 I qualified as a helm, following five years as part of the RNLI crew. It’s a role I feel comfortable in, due to the training I’ve received, it was absolutely incredible.

‘It was nice to be able to put my training into action for the first time, and I felt supported by the rest of the volunteer crew while doing so.

‘If you get into difficulty, or spot someone else in trouble, always dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’

Notes to editors

RNLI media contacts

Claire McRae, Lifeboat Press Officer, 07738681546, [email protected]

Brian Rankin, Lifeboat Press Officer, 07810862468, [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

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.

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