
West Kirby RNLI assist in multi-agency response to reported missing swimmer
On Wednesday 23 October, West Kirby RNLI were tasked to reports of a missing swimmer, alongside Flint and Wirral Coastguard Rescue Teams, Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and North West Ambulance Service.
At 6.27pm, West Kirby RNLI was tasked by HM Coastguard following an emergency 999 call reporting that a swimmer had not returned to their belongings after spending a prolonged period of time in the water off West Kirby.
With darkness having fallen and a fast ebbing tide, the volunteer crew in the D class lifeboat, Leonard Pownall, supported by shore crew on foot, began a search between Caldy steps and the tide line past the islands.
Meanwhile, the initial informant returned to the scene with the Coastguard, where the swimmer’s clothes and bag had originally been spotted. Upon arrival, they found that the swimmer had returned to their belongings, confirming their safe return. Consequently, the multi-agency search was stood down.
Andy Brown, West Kirby RNLI Launch Authority, said:
‘On this occasion, the callout was a false alarm with good intent. The first informant was correct in calling 999 and asking for the Coastguard, as we were able to quickly be on scene and assist in the potential search and rescue.
‘With open water swimming, we always advise telling someone else where you’re going and when you’ll be back. They can then raise the alarm with the Coastguard by calling 999 if you are overdue.
‘We’re glad that the swimmer returned to shore safely and I’m once again grateful to the crew who drop everything at the sound of the pager to assist day or night, and for their hard work during this search.’
The callout also marked the first shout as banksman of the BV launch vehicle for the station’s youngest crew member, Ben Shoebridge.
This role is primarily in charge of the safe and efficient launch and recovery procedures of the lifeboat, including setting up the BV navigation system to ensure a safe transit to launch sites and directing the driver when reversing back into a suitable recovery depth for the lifeboat.
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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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