
Multiple call-outs for Rhyl RNLI during helicopter exercise.
The practice session with the helicopter was cut short due to 999 calls from the public.
The helicopter exercise was cut short just before the winching was to begin due to a service call to reports of a boat drifting off Prestatyn. Both of Rhyl's lifeboats and the helicopter broke off the exercise to investigate. The vessel was found to be a small boat with the occupants drift fishing. As the exercise was about to restart the helicopter was tasked to another incident in Snowdonia, and had to leave the exercise.
Training continued on the lifeboats until the inshore lifeboat was tasked to reports of a dinghy off Kinmel Bay, the All-weather lifeboat was just leaving Rhyl harbour, so also attended the area and found a large set of half deflated helium balloons.
Earlier in the day whilst on an assessment exercise, the volunteers on the inshore lifeboat were tasked to rescue a family of two adults and two very young children off a sand bank that had been cut off by a gully with a quick running incoming tide. The family were landed back on the beach and the lifeboat continued its exercise.
Narrative from Mechanic Callum Robinson, all photos Rhyl RNLI.
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.