St Helier lifeboats launched to separate incidents
Both of the RNLI St Helier lifeboats were tasked at the same time on Sunday evening to assist on separate incidents.
The all-weather lifeboat had initially been tasked to search for a 13ft Orkney motorboat with two young persons on board lost in rain and poor visibility. They were able to locate the casualty quickly but, given the location amongst rocks south of La Rocque, a decision was made to hand over that recovery to the inshore lifeboat, which is better suited to dealing with shallow waters.
Meanwhile, the all-weather lifeboat was diverted to the second incident (to which the inshore lifeboat had originally been launched) approximately 5 nautical miles to the west of Pirou. That incident also involved a small motor vessel with two persons on board which had lost all power. The all-weather lifeboat, using radar and its searchlight and assisted by a handheld flare on board the the casualty vessel, was able to locate that second casualty quickly. As a result of the state of the tide, it was decided to bring the casualty back to Jersey.
The inshore lifeboat returned the Orkney to La Collette just after 9pm and then returned to her berth where she was washed down and prepared for her next service.
The all-weather lifeboat did not make it back to Jersey until after 11pm. The casualty was brought in to St Helier and the lifeboat crew then returned to station to prepare the lifeboat for her next launch.
Paul Mimmack, St Helier's duty launch authority, said:
"These rescues came at the end of a long day for the volunteer crew at St Helier who had the annual car wash in the morning. Fortunately conditions for both call outs were relatively favourable although any search and recovery is more complicated in the dark. However, our crew train for these scenarios and that training paid off this evening.
We would remind all boat users to ensure that they have the right equipment in the event of an emergency. Whilst mobile phones are useful as a last resort, mobile phone signals are often patchy at sea. In addition to having lifejackets for all persons on board, boats should have a VHF radio and flares to help lifeboat crews to maintain communication and locate them in the event of an incident. "
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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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