This summer, Manx RNLI lifeboats launched 21 times, a slight drop on last year’s total of 30 services. The Island’s busiest station during the summer season was Peel lifeboat station, launching their all-weather lifeboat seven times over the three month period – a rise in the number of call-outs for the station compared to last year.
Across the UK and Ireland the figures, which cover the period June 1 to August 31 2012, are down two per cent compared to the 2011 figures, which is probably due to the rainy weather at the beginning of the summer. RNLI lifeboats launched 3575 times around Britain and Ireland this summer, a slight drop on last year’s total of 3633.
Andy Hurley, Training Inspector for the RNLI’s West Division, reflects back on the volunteers’ invaluable work over the summer:
‘It seems that the combination of both wet and windy weather have kept people in port this summer, which at times has been a good decision especially for leisure craft users considering the bad weather conditions.
‘The number of lifeboat launches might by down compared to last year’s figures, however this doesn’t take away from the invaluable work that the volunteer lifeboat crew do across the coast. RNLI volunteers commit to assist people in trouble across the coast anytime of the day or night to help save lives at sea.’
Along with RNLI volunteers across the UK and Ireland, Manx lifeboat crew have demonstrated their skills and commitment on numerous occasions throughout the summer. Port St Mary RNLI lifeboat crew spent over four and a half hours at sea in a single service in June as they towed a fishing vessel with a fouled propeller from a position 20miles south west of the Island.
Peel volunteers were called away minutes before the start of the Sunday Lifeboat Service in August to help save a boy who was blown offshore in a small kayak. The young boy had been blown nearly two miles out to sea when he was picked up by the Peel RNLI lifeboat crew having been pulled aboard a passing fishing vessel. The young boy was quickly returned to his mother on dry land.
Even with the decrease in launches, it has been a busy summer for the Manx RNLI as volunteers from across the Island have been busy taking part in various events and incidences over the summer season. RNLI representatives from all five of the Island’s stations helped escort the Olympic Torch on its journey aboard the Douglas all-weather lifeboat as well as being chosen to take part in the historic event individually. Peel RNLI station mechanic, Paul Cain was also chosen to join other RNLI representatives on the charity’s Tamar class lifeboat which formed part of the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant.
Photo caption - Attached is a photo of Peel RNLI all-weather lifeboat Ruby Clery.
