Byline: Both the Inshore and All-weather RNLI lifeboats at Rhyl were called out on 18 May to 2 vessels experiencing difficulty at the entrance to Rhyl harbour. Page Content: Both boats launched to 2 vessels in difficulty on the rock groyne at the entrance to Rhyl harbour. The first power vessel had engine failure, and a yacht had gone to their aid, but had caught the rocks and lost their rudder, resulting in both boats going over the rock groyne and being in danger of being washed ashore. The Inshore lifeboat launched first, and established a tow on the yacht to take it clear of the rocks and the shore. The All-weather boat followed up, and arrived on scene to find the power vessel's crew had restarted the engine, and it was making it's way back round the groyne to Rhyl harbour. The ILB continued the tow until there was sufficient water for the AWB to take up the tow. This was successfully completed and the yacht and it's 5 passengers were towed safely back to Rhyl harbour, to Rhyl coastguard team, who assisted with mooring the boat. Once it was established that both casualties were safe, the lifeboats returned to station at 2000. The picture taken from the AWB shows the ILB towing the yacht to deeper water, with the power vessel entering the harbour behind.

Byline: On the afternoon of Saturday 18th May Cardigan lifeboat volunteers were paged at 2.51pm to reports of an unconscious casualty on the rocks at Ceibwr bay. Both boats were quickly launched and on scene within 10 minutes. Page Content:

As the Atlantic lifeboat Tanni Grey was first on scene a crew member was put onto the rocks to assess the situation. Shortly afterwards the D class Elsie Ida Meade arrived on scene and two more crew members were able to assist with the casualty.  

Due to the conditions and where the casualty was positioned, a great amount of concentration and skill was needed by both the helms on the two lifeboats. The RAF search and rescue helicopter, Rescue 122 based at RAF Valley arrived on scene at 3:26pm where a winchman was lowered to prepare the casualty for medical evacuation.

RNLI contact

For more information please contact Gemma Griffiths, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, on 077929498433. 

Byline: Under powder blue skies and in glorious sunshine, the volunteer team at Bude RNLI lifeboat station held a formal naming ceremony and service of dedication for their new D class inshore lifeboat George Bird today (Saturday 18 May 2013). Page Content:

The event was hosted at the lifeboat station where the donor of the lifeboat, Mrs Patricia Bird from Kent splashed the bow with champagne as she named the new lifeboat in memory of her husband. 

Guests were greeted first by Paul Finn, Chairman of the Bude RNLI Lifeboat Management Group who said the ceremony continued a proud tradition for the station:

‘The first lifeboat for Bude was presented by King William IV in 1837. Our first D class inshore lifeboat arrived in 1966 and today we are welcoming the George Bird ensuring we have the very best up-to-date lifeboat. Without the generosity of Mrs Bird and that of our many volunteers, the RNLI wouldn’t be the charity it is today, thank you.’   

Chris Cloke, RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager at Bude, accepted the lifeboat on behalf of the station and took the opportunity to remind people of the need for more volunteers to support the charity’s work in the town:

‘We urgently need to find new helpers and supporters, including recruits for the crew and people who can help with our fundraising events. We hope this ceremony will illustrate the importance of our work saving lives at sea, and persuade people that there’s a lot of fun to be had as part of a local RNLI team.’

After the ceremony, during which Mrs Bird was presented with a bouquet of flowers, the new D class inshore lifeboat launched to the sound of a lone piper playing Trelawney.  The guests were then treated to hot drinks and very popular home-made biscuits produced by two of the station’s talented volunteers. 
 
George Bird replaces the station’s former D class inshore lifeboat Henry Philip that was on station from 2004 to 2012. During this time the lifeboat launched 69 times and rescued 29 people.

RNLI notes to editors

• The attached pictures should be credited to RNLI/Simon Culliford and are as follows:
*Mrs Patricia Bird naming the new Bude RNLI D class inshore lifeboat George Bird in memory of her late husband, with a little help from Tom Mansell, RNLI Divisional Operations Manager.
*The naming ceremony venue at Bude RNLI lifeboat station as the event begins.
*The new Bude RNLI D class inshore lifeboat George Bird is put through her paces at sea straight after the ceremony.

• A short video of the event is available from Tamsin Thomas via the contact details below.
 
• Since 1963 the D class has become the workhorse of the charity, being highly manoeuvrable, able to work close inshore in shallow water, broken surf and areas that other lifeboats in the fleet could not operate. D class lifeboats have accounted for 30% of all RNLI launches, and the D class lifeboat accounts for 48% of all inshore lifeboat launches.  The D class has been constantly refined and improved with many of the changes being suggested and trialled by volunteer crew members before being incorporated into the evolving design. The latest version was first produced in 2003 and incorporates the use of modern lightweight composite materials rather than timber, updated navigation and communications systems, and a more powerful outboard motor to improve acceleration and give a maximum speed of 25 knots.

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Tamsin Thomas, RNLI Public Relations Manager for the south west, on 07786 668847 or email Tamsin_Thomas@rnli.org.uk

Byline: The Moelfre RNLI lifeboat ‘Kiwi’ was launched today (Saturday) for the first time at 10:20am to reports of a 16 foot fishing boat between Bull Bay and Cemaes with engine failure. Page Content: The Moelfre RNLI lifeboat volunteer crew under the command of second coxswain Michael Williams located the casualty vessel rapidly and transferred a tow rope across.

The vessel with two adults and a young boy on board had been fishing when the engine failed to start. None of the people on board needed any medical attention so they were towed into Bull Bay.

Due to the shallow water and partly submersed rocks in Bull Bay the decision was made to deploy the lifeboats ‘Y’ boat and transfer the tow over from ‘Kiwi’.  The casualty vessel was then towed right into the beach where they were met by the Cemaes Coastguard team.

Moelfre RNLI lifeboat station second coxswain Michael Williams said:

“All the intensive training that the Moelfre volunteer lifeboat crews have undertaken since ‘Kiwi’ has arrived paid off today. All the new equipment on board the lifeboat that was required was operated correctly and professionally by all the volunteer crew involved. This rescue is a very momentous rescue as it is the first one completed by the new state of the art £2.7 million Tamar class Moelfre lifeboat and I am very proud to have been in command of her on this historic occasion”.


Ends.


Notes to editors
• Moelfre RNLI lifeboat station has been operating since 1830. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.moelfrernli.com 
• Attached is an image of the Moelfre RNLI lifeboat volunteer crew involved in ‘Kiwi’s’ first ever rescue taken after the mission with ‘Kiwi’ in the background.
• Attached is an image of the vessel being towed by the new Moelfre RNLI lifeboat ‘Kiwi’.
• This year’s Moelfre Lifeboat day will be held on Saturday August 10th 2013



RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Dave Massey, Moelfre RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press officer on 07917 267213


RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre www.rnli.org.uk/press

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 coast. The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 100 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. 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 137,000 lives. The RNLI is a charity registered in England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.

Elusen sydd wedi ei chofrestru yn Lloegr, yr Alban a Gweriniaeth Iwerddon

Byline: Castletownbere RNLI will today officially open its new lifeboat station in west county Cork. Page Content: Well known marine correspondent Tom MacSweeney will declare the building open at a special ceremony beginning at 2.30pm which will include a service of dedication where the boathouse will be blessed and the official handing over of the station from the institution to Castletownbere RNLI.

The event will mark a significant milestone in the station’s 16 year history as the new building and facilities will greatly enhance the operational capability of Castletownbere’s all-weather Severn class lifeboat Annette Hutton, and support the crew in their work of saving lives at sea.

The volunteer lifeboat crew moved into the new station late last year after spending 15 years in temporary accommodation at Dinish Island. 
The new station and pontoon has been built on reclaimed land in Castletownbere and the new location means that the lifeboat crew can respond to callouts even faster.

The entire project cost €950,000 and includes a two storey lifeboat station with an adjoining pontoon from where the station’s Severn class all weather lifeboat launches.  The station houses a crew changing room, RNLI shop, training room and an operations office.

The building was designed by Gordon Philips who has worked on seven RNLI lifeboat stations for the charity. Work on the lifeboat station was carried out by Castletownbere construction and the pontoon was constructed by Crowley Engineering in Cork.

The project was made possible by the provision, from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, to the RNLI of a plot of reclaimed land on which the station was built.  It has provided the lifeboat crew with the perfect location from which to launch.

Casltetownbere RNLI has launched 223 times since the lifeboat was first put on service. Its crews have rescued 288 people and saved 30 lives. Last year alone, the lifeboat launched 10 times, bringing 12 people to safety. Five of those services took place in the dark while the volunteer crew spent 258 service hours at sea.

Throughout its history, there have been a great variety of call outs - sometimes long in duration, sometimes brief. There have been moments of humour and occasionally tragic circumstances. Two particular rescues, undertaken in difficult circumstances received commendation from the RNLI’s Operations Director Michael Vlasto. These included the rescue of a seriously injured fisherman on the Skellig Dawn in February 2002 and the rescue of the Saint Gothard in February 2007.

Back in August 2004, when the station’s crew travelled to RNLI Headquarters in Poole to receive their Severn class all weather lifeboat, they brought the Queen who was officially opening the RNLI College for a trip around the harbour on their new lifeboat.

In July 2007, Castletownbere launched with their neighbours in Baltimore following reports of a capsized rib in heavy seas with one man missing. While the man was rescued by lifeboat crew, the call out turned out to be part of the biggest drugs seizure in the state making headlines across the world.

Speaking ahead of this afternoon’s ceremony, Paul Stevens, Castletownbere RNLI Second Coxswain and Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said the opening ceremony will provide a special opportunity for the West Cork community to welcome the station’s new home: ‘Since Castletownbere lifeboat station was established in 1997, we have been very fortunate in the level of support we have received both locally and from further afield. We have dedicated lifeboat volunteers and supporters and now we have a station that reflects that.  The official opening ceremony will give us the opportunity to thank all those who organised fundraising activities, events, contributed financially or helped in any way to get us to this point as well as allowing us to acknowledge and thank our crew both past and present.’

Among those who will join Tom MacSweeney in officiating at today’s ceremony will be John Nolan, chairman of the Castletownbere RNLI Lifeboat Management Group, John Coyle, chairman of the Irish RNLI Council, Tony O’Sullivan, Castletownbere RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, Father Sean O’Shea, RNLI Chaplain and Reverend Paul Willoughby.

Ends

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Nuala McAloon, RNLI Press Officer Ireland on 0876483547, email Nuala_McAloon@rnli.org.uk or Paul Stevens Castletownbere RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 086 6015 110 email paul@stevens.net

Byline: Southend’s RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew launched the Atlantic 75 lifeboat from the pierhead boathouse at 1.40pm to a 25ft Bayliner day boat with propellor shaft failure. Page Content:

The lifeboat crew located the vessel with two persons onboard, anchored in the shipping lane near to the sea reach number one marker buoy.

The bayliner was safely towed back up river to Smallgains Creek, Canvey Island and moored up.

Later, whilst out on an evening training exercise on the Atlantic 75 lifeboat, the crews were called at 8pm by Thames Coastguard, to three swimmers giving cause for concern off of All Hallows, on the Kent side of the river.

The lifeboat crew proceeded to the location and stood by as the three made their own way safely back to shore.

With all ok, Southend lifeboat continued with their exercise.

RNLI media contacts

• Denis Freeman – Southend Lifeboat Station Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer
TEL-  07710406661, sue-den-adwalk@blueyonder.co.uk
• Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East)
0207 6207426 / 07785 296252 / tim_ash@rnli.org.uk
• Philly Byrde, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East)
0207 6207425 / 07786 668825 / philly_byrde@rnli.org.uk 
• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

Byline: One of the fleet of 50 Dutch yachts heading for Lowestoft as part of an annual trip had to call for the help of Lowestoft RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew when they encountered mechanical problems. Page Content:

Fresh from an appearance on the BBC 1 TV programme ‘Escape to the Country’ on Monday (13 May) when the programme presenter Denise Nurse went to sea with the volunteer lifeboat crew and took the helm in a ‘man overboard rescue’ training exercise – Lowestoft RNLI all-weather lifeboat Spirit of Lowestoft was launched to the real callout shortly after 9.50am today (Friday 17 May).

Coxswain John Fox said ‘we found the stranded 25 foot yacht Naijade limping along near to the South Holm Buoy, three and a half miles south of Lowestoft Harbour. Despite some language difficulties with the yacht’s two man crew we managed to secure a towline to the vessel and tow it to the safety to the Yacht Basin where they were able to join their fellow countrymen.’

It was the 35th year that the fleet of yachts from Toerzeillers - Dutch Association of Tour Sailors had sailed from Ijmuiden and Den Helder in Holland to Lowestoft, bringing 120 sailors to the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club for the weekend.

 Ends

RNLI media contacts

• Mick Howes, Lowestoft RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer
01502 562488 / 07814 468917 email mickhowes@hotmail.com
• Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East)
0207 6207426 / 07785 296252 / tim_ash@rnli.org.uk
• Philly Byrde, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East)
0207 6207425 / 07786 668825 / philly_byrde@rnli.org.uk 
• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

Byline: The funeral of Daphne Lake, a long term supporter and fundraiser for Eastbourne lifeboats was briefly interrupted this morning when the crew were paged to an incident off Sovereign Harbour Page Content: A packed house had gathered at St Richard’s Church Langney to pay their tributes to the life of a popular long term supporter of Eastbourne lifeboats when suddenly the crew pagers interrupted proceedings. The on duty volunteer lifeboat crew were forced to abruptly rush to the assistance of a crewman aboard Eastbourne’s largest commercial fishing boat who had suffered a severe allergic reaction.

The skipper of the Royal Sovereign became very concerned when one of his crew became seriously ill and contacted Dover Coastguard for immediate assistance. Eastbourne’s all-weather lifeboat was scrambled and was quickly on scene with the station’s medical advisor Stephen Lytton and crewman paramedic Guy Emery on board. The two were transferred to the Royal Sovereign to administer medical treatment to the casualty. With the casualty stabilised he was transferred to the ALB and transported back to Sovereign Harbour where he was passed into the care of a waiting ambulance crew who took him to Eastbourne District General Hospital.

Later, friends of Daphne said she would have been delighted with the drama at Church which would have made her day.   

Byline: Padstow RNLI lifeboat Tamar class ‘Spirit of Padstow’ launched at 8.05pm tonight (Sunday 12th May) to go to the aid of a yacht en route from Ireland making its way to Padstow Page Content:

The yacht, first reported problems some nine miles North West of Padstow, reporting trouble with the vessels engines and experiencing trouble sailing due to weather conditions. The crew managed to make their way to Newland Island where the lifeboat crew met the yacht and fixed a tow.

The lifeboat then proceeded to tow the yacht into the inner harbour at Padstow.

Notes to editors
• Padstow lifeboat station has been operating since 1827.
• To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.rnli.org.uk/padstow

RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Sue Norfolk, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07816 250053 / 01841 532902 or Tamsin Thomas, Media Relations Manager South West on 07786 668847

Byline: Padstow RNLI lifeboat Tamar class ‘Spirit of Padstow’ launched at 8.05pm tonight (Sunday 12th May) to go to the aid of a yacht en route from Ireland making its way to Padstow Page Content:

The yacht, first reported problems some nine miles North West of Padstow, reporting trouble with the vessels engines and experiencing trouble sailing due to weather conditions. The crew managed to make their way to Newland Island where the lifeboat crew met the yacht and fixed a tow.

The lifeboat then proceeded to tow the yacht into the inner harbour at Padstow.

Notes to editors
• Padstow lifeboat station has been operating since 1827.
• To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.rnli.org.uk/padstow

RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Sue Norfolk, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07816 250053 / 01841 532902 or Tamsin Thomas, Media Relations Manager South West on 07786 668847

Byline: Padstow's RNLI lifeboat Tamar class ‘Spirit of Padstow’ launched at 8pm tonight (Saturday 11th May) to go to the assistance of a local fishing vessel Page Content:

The vessel had broken down with engine failure half a mile inside the Newland Island at the mouth of the Camel Estuary.

The fishing boat had managed to anchor and await the lifeboat.  Once on scene the volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew took the vessel under tow into Padstow Harbour.

Notes to editors
• Padstow lifeboat station has been operating since 1827.
• To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.rnli.org.uk/padstow

RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Sue Norfolk, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07816 250053 / 01841 532902 or Tamsin Thomas, Media Relations Manager South West on 07786 668847

Byline: Padstow's RNLI lifeboat Tamar class ‘Spirit of Padstow’ launched at 8pm tonight (Saturday 11th May) to go to the assistance of a local fishing vessel Page Content:

The vessel had broken down with engine failure half a mile inside the Newland Island at the mouth of the Camel Estuary.

The fishing boat had managed to anchor and await the lifeboat.  Once on scene the volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew took the vessel under tow into Padstow Harbour.

Notes to editors
• Padstow lifeboat station has been operating since 1827.
• To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.rnli.org.uk/padstow

RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Sue Norfolk, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07816 250053 / 01841 532902 or Tamsin Thomas, Media Relations Manager South West on 07786 668847

Byline: Padstow RNLI lifeboat Tamar class ‘Spirit of Padstow’ launched at 11.45pm tonight (Sunday 5th May) to go to the assistance of a local fishing vessel. Page Content: The vessel got into difficulties off Perranporth when fishing gear became wrapped around the vessel’s propeller.

Once on scene the volunteer lifeboat crew fixed a tow and brought the vessel back into Padstow Harbour.
 
Notes to editors
• Padstow lifeboat station has been operating since 1827.
• To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.rnli.org.uk/padstow

RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Sue Norfolk, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07816 250053 / 01841 532902 or Tamsin Thomas, Media Relations Manager South West on 07786 668847

Byline: Padstow RNLI lifeboat Tamar class ‘Spirit of Padstow’ launched at 11.45pm tonight (Sunday 5th May) to go to the assistance of a local fishing vessel. Page Content: The vessel got into difficulties off Perranporth when fishing gear became wrapped around the vessel’s propeller.

Once on scene the volunteer lifeboat crew fixed a tow and brought the vessel back into Padstow Harbour.
 
Notes to editors
• Padstow lifeboat station has been operating since 1827.
• To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.rnli.org.uk/padstow

RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Sue Norfolk, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07816 250053 / 01841 532902 or Tamsin Thomas, Media Relations Manager South West on 07786 668847

Byline: Four men have been rescued from their grounded vessel thanks to the professional actions of the Padstow RNLI lifeboat crew. Page Content: The group were onboard a converted fishing vessel that hit rocks in the Camel estuary as they headed towards Padstow harbour.

The lifeboat crew volunteers launched at 5am this morning (Monday 29 April) when reports came in that the Courageous II had gone aground and was holed and that the vessel’s crew were in immediate danger. 

Arriving on scene in just 12 minutes, volunteer RNLI Coxswain Alan Tarby skilfully bought the Tamar class all-weather lifeboat Spirit of Padstow alongside the stricken vessel in very shallow waters. The four men assembled on the aft deck (back) of the converted fishing vessel and were swiftly transferred to the lifeboat.

The RNLI team then headed straight back to the lifeboat station so the survivors could be checked over by paramedics.

Michael England is the RNLI Mechanic at Padstow:

‘This was a very speedy rescue as the four men were in immediate danger with the boat literally breaking up under their feet. Fortunately thanks to Alan’s skilful boat handling in very shallow water we were able to get them off the boat and ashore in minutes and they are all well. Sadly the vessel is breaking up very quickly.  They’re regular visitors to Padstow, usually appearing for our annual Mayday celebrations, and it’s very sad to see their boat in such a terrible situation.’    

The call came just four and a half hours after the Padstow RNLI team had returned from assisting two people onboard a small yacht that had lost its rudder two miles north of Boscastle. The volunteer crew had towed the boat to safety, arriving back at their Trevose Head boathouse at half past midnight this morning.

Notes to editors
• Please find attached a library picture of the Padstow RNLI Tamar class all-weather lifeboat Spirit of Padstow. Please credit RNLI/Nigel Millard.

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Tamsin Thomas, RNLI Public Relations Manager south west on 07786 668847 or email Tamsin_Thomas@rnli.org.uk

Byline: Four men have been rescued from their grounded vessel thanks to the professional actions of the Padstow RNLI lifeboat crew. Page Content: The group were onboard a converted fishing vessel that hit rocks in the Camel estuary as they headed towards Padstow harbour.

The lifeboat crew volunteers launched at 5am this morning (Monday 29 April) when reports came in that the Courageous II had gone aground and was holed and that the vessel’s crew were in immediate danger. 

Arriving on scene in just 12 minutes, volunteer RNLI Coxswain Alan Tarby skilfully bought the Tamar class all-weather lifeboat Spirit of Padstow alongside the stricken vessel in very shallow waters. The four men assembled on the aft deck (back) of the converted fishing vessel and were swiftly transferred to the lifeboat.

The RNLI team then headed straight back to the lifeboat station so the survivors could be checked over by paramedics.

Michael England is the RNLI Mechanic at Padstow:

‘This was a very speedy rescue as the four men were in immediate danger with the boat literally breaking up under their feet. Fortunately thanks to Alan’s skilful boat handling in very shallow water we were able to get them off the boat and ashore in minutes and they are all well. Sadly the vessel is breaking up very quickly.  They’re regular visitors to Padstow, usually appearing for our annual Mayday celebrations, and it’s very sad to see their boat in such a terrible situation.’    

The call came just four and a half hours after the Padstow RNLI team had returned from assisting two people onboard a small yacht that had lost its rudder two miles north of Boscastle. The volunteer crew had towed the boat to safety, arriving back at their Trevose Head boathouse at half past midnight this morning.

Notes to editors
• Please find attached a library picture of the Padstow RNLI Tamar class all-weather lifeboat Spirit of Padstow. Please credit RNLI/Nigel Millard.

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Tamsin Thomas, RNLI Public Relations Manager south west on 07786 668847 or email Tamsin_Thomas@rnli.org.uk

Byline: Newquay RNLI lifeboat volunteers were tasked around 9pm on Tuesday 7th May 2013 to assist two people who had fallen over the cliffs at East Pentire. Page Content:

Falmouth coastguards received a 999 call from a member of the public reporting two persons in difficulties at the end of Pentire headland. Newquay’s volunteer crew were immediately tasked and both inshore lifeboats were launched with volunteer crew men Mark Morris and Joe Emmett at the helms.

Three adult males had climbed down the cliff onto rocks below. As they ascended, one fell approximately 25 feet back into the sea; hitting rocks on his way down. One of the group continued to the cliff top to raise the alarm, the third man scrambled back down and into the water to assist the man who had fallen. He successfully helped the injured casualty back onto the rocks about 8 feet above the sea where they sat and waited for help.

Arriving on scene, volunteer crew member and paramedic Christian Brown was transferred from the D class lifeboat directly onto the rocks where he then scrambled up to assess the injured man. The uninjured casualty was taken off the rocks in the D class to the waiting Atlantic lifeboat from where he was taken back to the safety of the harbour.

Rescue helicopter 193 arrived on scene shortly after the lifeboats; an overhanging ledge made access tricky, the winch man was lowered and then manoeuvred in towards the rocky plateau. Armed with entonox and a stretcher, Christian and the winch man calmed the casualty who was in considerable pain. They then managed to strap him in a stretcher. Both the casualty and the winch man were then lifted to the helicopter. Christian was then collected by the D class lifeboat and the lifeboats stood down.

Christian reflected on the rescue:

“The recovery was thwarted by the weather conditions, just after we arrived on scene it started to rain heavily, then the light failed and we were reliant on illumination from Rescue 193. The coastguards were unable to assist with illumination due to the position of the casualty under the rocky overhang. This all made things a bit more tricky.

“The casualties were very appreciative of all the rescue services and commended us on our response. They acknowledged that it wasn’t the best idea to climb down to the sea.”

The men were part of a party of about thirty from Switzerland

This was the first shout for new probationary crew member George Fox.

Byline: Newquay RNLI lifeboat volunteers were tasked around 9pm on Tuesday 7th May 2013 to assist two people who had fallen over the cliffs at East Pentire. Page Content:

Falmouth coastguards received a 999 call from a member of the public reporting two persons in difficulties at the end of Pentire headland. Newquay’s volunteer crew were immediately tasked and both inshore lifeboats were launched with volunteer crew men Mark Morris and Joe Emmett at the helms.

Three adult males had climbed down the cliff onto rocks below. As they ascended, one fell approximately 25 feet back into the sea; hitting rocks on his way down. One of the group continued to the cliff top to raise the alarm, the third man scrambled back down and into the water to assist the man who had fallen. He successfully helped the injured casualty back onto the rocks about 8 feet above the sea where they sat and waited for help.

Arriving on scene, volunteer crew member and paramedic Christian Brown was transferred from the D class lifeboat directly onto the rocks where he then scrambled up to assess the injured man. The uninjured casualty was taken off the rocks in the D class to the waiting Atlantic lifeboat from where he was taken back to the safety of the harbour.

Rescue helicopter 193 arrived on scene shortly after the lifeboats; an overhanging ledge made access tricky, the winch man was lowered and then manoeuvred in towards the rocky plateau. Armed with entonox and a stretcher, Christian and the winch man calmed the casualty who was in considerable pain. They then managed to strap him in a stretcher. Both the casualty and the winch man were then lifted to the helicopter. Christian was then collected by the D class lifeboat and the lifeboats stood down.

Christian reflected on the rescue:

“The recovery was thwarted by the weather conditions, just after we arrived on scene it started to rain heavily, then the light failed and we were reliant on illumination from Rescue 193. The coastguards were unable to assist with illumination due to the position of the casualty under the rocky overhang. This all made things a bit more tricky.

“The casualties were very appreciative of all the rescue services and commended us on our response. They acknowledged that it wasn’t the best idea to climb down to the sea.”

The men were part of a party of about thirty from Switzerland

This was the first shout for new probationary crew member George Fox.

Byline: A visit by Her Majesty The Queen to the RNLI lifeboat station at St Ives today (Friday 17 May 2013) also marked the official start of a special appeal by the charity. Page Content:

HM The Queen was accompanied by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh and together the royal couple visited to meet the local RNLI team who uphold the charity’s tradition of saving lives at sea. The occasion coincided with the start of an appeal to raise funds towards the £1million cost of the launch and recovery vehicle for the new Shannon class all-weather lifeboat that it’s hoped will arrive in the town in late 2014.

At today’s visit the royal couple met the volunteer team who run the lifeboat station and their families and viewed the current lifeboats, the Mersey class all-weather lifeboat The Princess Royal and the D class inshore lifeboat Colin Bramley Parker.
They also met the volunteers who run the charity’s shop before unveiling a plaque to mark the visit.
 
Derek Hall is the volunteer RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager at St Ives;

‘We’re extremely honoured to have welcomed Her Majesty The Queen to our lifeboat station, especially as she is the RNLI’s Patron, and to be able to introduce her to the many volunteers who maintain the charity’s lifesaving tradition around the coast of
St Ives.  It’s a truly wonderful way of thanking the families of our volunteers too for their support and commitment.

‘Here at St Ives we are also launching a special appeal ahead of the arrival in late 2014 of a new 25-knot Shannon class all-weather lifeboat for St Ives to replace our current Mersey class lifeboat. We need to raise funds towards the £1million needed to fund the new lifeboat’s purpose built launch and recovery vehicle and this project begins in earnest right now as we head in to the 2013 summer season at St Ives.’

Paul Whiston is the volunteer RNLI Coxswain at St Ives:

‘To me it’s very fitting that our present Mersey class all-weather lifeboat is The Princess Royal and today we presented Her Majesty The Queen with a framed picture of the lifeboat in action at sea. This lifeboat has already given us 22 years of service and we are very proud of her.   However, the new Shannon class will offer improved speed and manoeuvrability thanks to updated design techniques and water jet propulsion. We just need to help raise the funds needed now for the launch and recovery vehicle.’

RNLI notes to editors
• The attached pictures are as follows:
*HM The Queen meets (from left to right) RNLI lifeboat crew volunteers Robin Langford (shaking hands), James Symons, Colin Jeffries, Barney Stevens, Jonathan Harvey, Scott Perkin and Rob Cocking (Mechanic) with volunteer Coxswain Paul Whiston accompanying her, as HRH The Duke of Edinburgh heads off with Derek Hall, volunteer RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager.  Credit RNLI/Nigel Millard.
*A portrait of Her Majesty The Queen, Patron of the RNLI. Credit RNLI/Nigel Millard.
*The team, volunteers and their families, at St Ives RNLI taken just after the royal visit. Credit RNLI/Nigel Millard.
*HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh receive a picture of the RNLI all-weather lifeboat based at St Ives, The Princess Royal, from William Perkin, son of crew volunteer Scott Perkin.  
• More are available on request from Tamsin – see contact details below.
• Last year the volunteer lifeboat crews at St Ives launched to emergencies 32 times, rescuing 32 people and spending 288 hours at sea.
• The St Ives RNLI Mersey class all-weather lifeboat The Princess Royal has been based in the harbour since 1990. In this time she has launched to 262 emergencies, and her volunteer crew have saved 17 lives and rescued 196 people. 

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Tamsin Thomas, RNLI Public Relations Manager south west, on 07786 668847 or email Tamsin_Thomas@rnli.org.uk

 

Byline: A regular evening training exercise became a more serious concern for volunteer crew members at Criccieth’s RNLI lifeboat station on Thursday the 16th of May, 2013 as they went to the aid of a speedboat which had run out of fuel and an accompanying jetski Page Content: The 12foot Fletcher speedboat, Miss Patricia, had launched from Criccieth earlier in the evening accompanied by a jet ski.  Both had set out on the 24 mile round trip to Abersoch for the evening in favourable conditions.  However, with the sea becoming heavier and darkness falling the speedboat ran out fuel near Abererch sands on its way back.  Concerned crew members aboard the station’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Doris Joan, already out on routine exercises in the area, went to their aid after realising they had not returned.  Crew member, Nigel Wright was placed aboard the stricken speedboat to establish a tow.  The boat’s occupants were placed on the lifeboat and provided with warming casualty smocks for the return journey to Criccieth.  Meanwhile the jet ski headed towards Criccieth, escorted by the stations inshore rescue boat, Margret a Nantw as it had no lights and rider was feeling the effects of the cold.

With onshore crew members waiting on the beach at Criccieth, the vessels were quickly recovered.  Following the incident, Criccieth’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, Peter Williams commented “Luckily for the occupants of the speedboat, lifeboat crew members used their judgement to remain in the area on exercise as they’d noticed they hadn’t returned to shore.  With darkness falling, the wind strengthening and water temperatures still low there was a real danger that this could’ve become a more serious incident.  All too often we are called out to people who miscalculate the amount of fuel required for their journey – I urge all those taking to the sea, even on short journeys, to ensure they have sufficient supplies.  In addition, conditions at this time of year can change in an instant – people should always be prepared for cold conditions and allow enough time for their journeys.”      


ENDS

For further information, please contact Ifer Gwyn, Lifeboat Press Officer on 07554445316 or ifergwyn@hotmail.com