Bridlington RNLI come to the aid of family after vessel loses power

At around 2pm, on Sunday 14 June, the HM Coastguard requested assistance to a small vessel that had suffered engine failure and was unable to return to shore. On board were a family of three, including a seven-year-old child. A nearby large buoy vessel (a craft used to service and deploy buoys) had initially responded but was unable to safely recover the casualties due to its size. Given concerns for the welfare of the child and the family’s lack of suitable clothing for prolonged exposure, it was decided to evacuate all three to safety.

With a volunteer crew of four, the Bridlington RNLI ILB ‘Ernie Wellings’ launched at 2.32pm and was on scene within minutes. The volunteer crew discovered the casualty vessel to be a small motor cruiser, not an inflatable as first reported. The family who had been taken aboard the buoy vessel were safely transferred onto the lifeboat and taken to Bridlington Harbour, where they were handed into the care of HM Coastguard at around 3.10pm. The casualty vessel was secured alongside the assisting vessel before later being towed back to South Bay by a private craft, arranged by the family.

The RNLI inshore lifeboat returned to the lifeboat station was recovered, refuelled and was made ready for service shortly after 3.50pm.

Bridlington RNLI volunteer Helm, Sarah Berrey said, ‘This was a good example of how quickly things can change at sea. Even on a calm day, a loss of power can leave you vulnerable. We would always advise anyone heading out on the water to carry suitable safety equipment, ensure you have a means of calling for help, and check both your vessel and the weather forecast before setting off. Wearing appropriate clothing for the conditions can also make a significant difference if you find yourself in difficulty’.

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]

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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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