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Two shouts in two days for New Brighton RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

New Brighton RNLI’s volunteer crew were tasked on consecutive evenings to vessels in difficulty over the busy bank holiday weekend.

The River Mersey dominates the frame. To the left of the image, the New Brighton RNLI tractor and carriage can be seen. To the right, the Atlantic-85 lifeboat has just launched from the carriage on service.

RNLI/Connor Wray

New Brighton RNLI launch in fair conditions to assist a broken down vessel

The Early May bank holiday weekend proved to be a busy one for the lifeboat crew at New Brighton, as their inshore, Atlantic-85, lifeboat was tasked twice in two days to assist vessels in difficulty in different parts of the River Mersey.

On Sunday 30 April the pagers sounded at 5:11pm, in response to a tasking from HM Coastguard to a fishing vessel in difficulty out near the Burbo Bank offshore wind farm, just off Hightown. Upon arrival on scene, the helm carried out a risk assessment and the decision was taken to establish a tow with the small vessel. Conditions were favourable and allowed a tow to be established quickly, and the lifeboat made steady progress towards Liverpool Marina, arriving just after 8pm to see the fishing boat returned to safety.

On Monday 1 May the pagers sounded again, at 9pm. This time HM Coastguard tasked the volunteer crew to assess the condition of a broken-down yacht out near the C1 buoy, in the Formby Point proximity. The volunteer helm carried out a risk assessment of the situation. The decision was taken to establish a tow with the vessel. The lifeboat made steady way toward Liverpool Marina and returned the yacht to safety at around 11pm.

Helm Mike Stannard said:

‘We are approaching the time of year when the river is at its busiest with pleasure craft and people out making the most of the good weather. We would always encourage anyone out on the river to make sure they carry out proper checks on their vessel before heading out for the day. We would also always advise carrying a VHF radio on board, as mobile phone signal becomes unreliable the further out you travel.’

Our lifeboat crews are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If you find yourself in difficulty whilst out on the river, or spot anybody else you think might be in difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

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]

Lauren Francom – Lifeboat Press Officer

07850449080

[email protected]

RNLI Press Office on 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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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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