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From Church to Sea – Lifeboat Crew leave thanksgiving service to rescue family

Lifeboats News Release

Volunteers from Fleetwood RNLI launched to rescue a family that had been cut off by the tide, having just left a local church where their Chaplain was leading a service of thanksgiving.

The crew were preparing to enjoy tea and cake after a service of thanksgiving for 200 years of the RNLI and 165 years of the RNLI in Fleetwood led by Station Chaplain Canon Father John Hall, alongside the Reverend Carolyn Leitch, Vicar of St Nicholas, and Pastor George Ayoma of Trinity Baptist Church and the Fishermen’s Mission, when their pagers went off at 2:50pm , not long after representatives from HM Coastguard had also been called away.

The boat was launched a few minutes later in good weather and clear visibility. A family group of two adults, three children and two dogs had found themselves in difficulty after being cut off by the tide and were unable to make their way safely to shore. The charity’s D-Class lifeboat Harbet was able to locate the group, who were treading water as the boat reached them, and return them safely to shore where they were passed into the care of the North West Ambulance Service. Neil Atkinson, at the helm of the lifeboat, said ‘In situations like this every second counts, and we were fortunate to reach this family when we did. It reminds us all to check tide times and stay aware of what’s happening around us, and most importantly to carry a means of calling for help and if you find yourself in danger call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’

Notes to editors

· Fleetwood’s RNLI Inshore Lifeboat is named HARBET and is a D-Class boat.

· Fleetwood lifeboat station has been operating since 1859. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: http://fleetwoodlifeboat.org.uk

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact David Devereux, Fleetwood RNLI Press Officer, on 07591 675733 / [email protected] Danielle Rush, RNLI Regional Communications Lead, West, on 07786 668829/ [email protected] or Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on 07977 728315 / [email protected]

A group of crew in blue shirts, some with ties, and the crew that launched in their black & yellow RNLI drysuits, with the D Class lifeboat Harbet

RNLI/Robert Baines

Crew of the Fleetwood RNLI Lifeboat, some still dressed for church
One of the party in the water, just after being spotted by the crew.

RNLI

Casualty spotted from the lifeboat
Coastguard and casualties on the beach, having been returned to shore.

RNLI

Casualties returned to the Coastguard on Fleetwood Beach

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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