RNLI crew called to real-life rescue while showing public how lifeboats work

Volunteers at an RNLI station were called to a genuine emergency during a public demonstration event.

The lifeboat station at Bridlington was hosting its "Crew for a Day" initiative, designed to offer visitors a glimpse into the issues faced by volunteer crew members.

However, during the event, HM Coastguard alerted them to a vessel in trouble shortly before 1.30pm.

A jet ski had broken down approximately one mile off the East Yorkshire coast near Wilsthorpe, leaving its occupants stranded at sea.

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For those attending the demonstration, they were given firsthand authentic experience as to how quickly the crews operate.

The relief inshore lifeboat Richard Peter McFarland was swiftly deployed with a three-person volunteer crew aboard.

Racing to the scene, the team spotted Joel from Doncaster and his younger brother, who had been left stranded when their watercraft suffered mechanical failure.

The crew checked that both passengers were unharmed and properly hydrated before bringing them safely back to shore.

Sarah Berrey, the RNLI helm who led the rescue, reflected on the incident and praised her crew for their quick reaction.

She said: "While today's 'Crew for a Day' event is designed to give young people a hands-on experience of what we do, it also shows that our volunteers are always ready to respond when the pager goes.

"This was a great example of the crew putting their training into action quickly and safely."

Joel expressed his gratitude to the crew who came to his aid, describing the anxiety of finding himself adrift with engine trouble.

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Joel said: "Being out at sea with a failed engine, on a small water craft with nobody around, would be a distressing experience for most people.

"Luckily for us we called 999 and asked for the Coastguard who were very responsive in getting the RNLI out to us.

"Within 15 minutes we saw the comforting sight of the orange boat beaming towards us much to the excitement from my younger brother.

"Very quickly they were by our side and got us back to land. I would like to give a special thanks to Sarah and the two lads that saved us, extremely grateful."

The RNLI has issued a serious alert after the the death of five teenagers, with the charity warning of "very real risk" of swimming in open water during the heatwave.

The charity said whilst temperatures hit record highs for May over the bank holiday weekend, water temperatures remained low and could lead to cold water shock.

This can lead to hyperventilation, a spike in heart rate and blood pressure as the body reacts to cold water. In the worst cases, even competent swimmers can drown as their bodies cannot cope with the change in temperature.

The RNLI said in a statement on Tuesday: “While the air temperature is warm, the seas are still cold and cold water shock remains a very real risk.

“With many school children enjoying half term, the lifesaving charity is urging everyone to stay safe.”

It came after several police forces were called out to separate fatal open water incidents.

Officers from South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Warwickshire, Lincolnshire, Lancashire, and Devon & Cornwall attended incidents involving five teenagers and one man in his 60s.

The RNLI said in a statement on Tuesday: "While the air temperature is warm, the seas are still cold and cold water shock remains a very real risk.

"With many school children enjoying half term, the lifesaving charity is urging everyone to stay safe."

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