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An action packed August for Whitby RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

The volunteer crew have been busy with both shouts and events this summer.

RNLI

Head cam footage from one of Whitby RNLI's August call outs
The summer months are often more busy for RNLI crews around the country with more people enjoying the coast in the warm weather, and this year was no exception at Whitby.

On 7 August the crew were called to locate and tow a stricken yacht back to harbour.

The inshore lifeboat crew established a tow line and brought the yacht and its crew safely back to Whitby harbour.

The same evening the inshore lifeboat was launched to assist the coastguard as they dealt with an incident in the lower harbour.

On the 10 August the crew were paged when three people were cut off by the tide, but were stood down on arrival at the lifeboat station as the casualties had managed to get themselves to safety.

The next day (11 August) the crew were tasked to assist a diving boat that had lost power with three divers still under water during a routine dive near the wreck of the Rohilla.

They located the vessel and performed a tow with the inshore lifeboat. The crew also transferred the three divers, once surfaced, to the all-weather lifeboat who brought them back to the harbour.

The crew were then paged again the same day after a report of a person cut off at Sandsend Ness, but were once again stood down before launch.

On the 13 August the crew were tasked to a fishing vessel at Saltwick Bay that had lost power and was drifting towards the shore. The vessel was successfully recovered and towed to Whitby.

The crew were also called out later in the month on a number of search and rescue call outs, involving the local Coastguard.

Meanwhile the crew also held their own successful Flag Weekend at the start of the month, attended Staithes And Runswick's Flag weekend and took part in the Whitby Regatta Sail past.

They also undertook their regular training sessions each week including two joint exercises with the local lifeguards.

Station manager Barry Brown said: I would like to thank our volunteer crew for their hard work over the summer, many of them leaving work and family time to respond to the pager at a moment's notice. I would also like to mention the volunteers behind the scenes such as the shop and museum volunteers, and the Friends of Whitby Lifeboat who work tirelessly during these busy months and events to raise funds that keep the RNLI going.'

The RNLI's advice to anyone visiting the coast during the summer is:
  • Always check the tide times
  • Carry a means of calling for help
  • FLOAT TO LIVE
  • In a coastal emergency dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

For more information contact Lifeboat Press Officer Ceri Oakes on 07813359428 or at [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.

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