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Bridlington RNLI volunteer crew member’s first tasking on inshore lifeboat
Bridlington RNLI volunteer crew member experienced their first operational tasking aboard the station's inshore lifeboat Ernie Wellings, after what began as a routine training exercise on Monday evening.
The Bridlington RNLI volunteer crew had launched Ernie Wellings late afternoon on Monday 20 July for a scheduled exercise and were carrying out training, when HM Coastguard requested their assistance in the search for a reported missing person.
The crew immediately transitioned from training to an operational response. Following the search, the missing person was located safe and well inland, bringing the incident to a successful conclusion.
Volunteer RNLI crew member Natalie Clydesdale said, ‘This was my first tasking onboard Ernie Wellings and it was quite an experience. We set off expecting an exercise, but found ourselves involved in a real search. The training we have received gave me confidence, and it was great to see everyone working together professionally to help find the missing person safe and well. I'm proud to be part of the crew and to support the RNLI's lifesaving work.’
Bridlington RNLI volunteers train regularly to ensure they are prepared to respond at a moment's notice, whatever the circumstances. The incident highlighted the importance of maintaining that readiness, with the crew moving seamlessly from exercise mode to a real-life emergency situation.
Notes to editors.
Photograph is also attached as jpeg image credited to RNLI/Mike Milner
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Michael Milner, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI North and East, [email protected]
Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for North East and East England, 07824 518641, [email protected]
Richard Grange, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for North East and East England, 07483 112015, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
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