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Southwold RNLI lifeboat and Suffolk lifeguards unite

Lifeboats News Release

Thursday, 13th July saw an exciting first happen for lifeboat crew and lifeguards: a combined training exercise on Southwold Beach.

RNLI Lifeguards line up on Southwold Beach alongside an orange lifeboat

RNLI/Jonathan Sapsford, [email protected]

Lifeguards alongside Southwold's Atlantic 85 lifeboat and crew

The evening exercise was a great opportunity for the lifeguards to learn more about the Annie Tranmer, Southwold’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat, and undertake a joint rescue simulation.

First stop for the lifeguards was Southwold RNLI station. Bob Cooper and Simon Callaghan from the training team gave them a tour of the lifeboat, highlighting its manoeuvrability and effectiveness close to the beach. Next up was a briefing for both teams on the beach beside Southwold Harbour. Following this they spent two hours training, with the lifeguards deploying rescue boards and rescue tubes to recover people and transfer them to the lifeboat.

Simon Hazelgrove, Southwold Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: ‘In the last fortnight we have had two simulated shouts where lifeguards and the lifeboat have coordinated to help people in trouble. Joint exercises like this allow us to prepare for similar events and will help make our beaches safer this summer.’

Bob Copper, Southwold ILB helm added: ‘This was an invaluable exercise full of enthusiasm. The crew enjoyed training together with RNLI beach lifeguards and demonstrating the capabilities of our Atlantic 85.’

You can see the RNLI Lifeboat and Lifeguards working together during Southwold Lifeboat Day on Saturday 5th August starting at 11am on Southwold seafront. Following the demonstration, the lifeboat station will be open for visitors between 12 noon and 4pm. Come along to support your local RNLI teams.

Ends

Photo Credit: Jonathan Sapsford, [email protected] Issued by Jez Taylor, Press Officer, Southwold RNLI lifeboat station. Enquiries to [email protected]

RNLI online For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available by searching RNLI News Centre.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea.

The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK.

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 143,000 lives

The crew of Southwold's Atlantic 85 Annie Tranmer during a joint training exercise with RNLI lifeguards

RNLI/Jonathan Sapsford, [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.

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.