Whitby RNLI undertake joint exercise with Coastguard helicopter

Every Wednesday the volunteer crew undertake training, either theory inside the station, or out on their two lifeboats. This week they were joined at sea by the HM Coastguard helicopter.

The training session prepared crew for rescues where a casualty may need a medical evacuation by helicopter. This could be an injured fisherman, a person who has been taken ill aboard a vessel, or someone who has got into difficulty in the water and needs urgent care.

The session involved the Coastguard winch man being lowered from the helicopter onto Whitby's Shannon class all-weather lifeboat.

Training co-ordinator Matt Sharpe said: 'It is always useful for our crew to take part in multi-agency training exercises to prepare them for all eventualities at sea. The exercise involves boat-handling skills and communications between the RNLI and Coastguard.'

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Ceri Oakes, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Whitby RNLI, [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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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok 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.