Morecambe RNLI boss issues safety advice after latest call outs

Monday, 13 June 2022 11:20

Morecambe’s RNLI volunteer crew were called to service over the weekend.

They received reports of a person in the water at Sandylands Beach, just before 9:50pm on Saturday night.

Before the inshore rescue lifeboat arrived on scene, the person made their way to the safety of the shore to the awaiting police officers for a safety check. The person was reported to be safe so the inshore rescue lifeboat and her crew returned to station.

People are being advised before swimming in Morecambe Bay to check the tide times alongside the weather forecast and consider if it’s safe to enter the water.

For more RNLI safety tips you can click here

Morecambe’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, Steve Wilson, says: ‘’Morecambe RNLI crews at both the hovercraft station and the lifeboat station continue to see increased activity across the area.

‘’Primarily day trippers/tourists walking on the sands unaware of the dangers and the speed of the tide and quicksand. (For example) last Tuesday, we were called to an almost identical situation which resulted in both craft being launched. This resulted in a safe rescue of several members of the public by either transporting or ushering people to the shore.

‘’We also receive many call-outs to vulnerable people. This has seen a substantial increase as a result of the last couple of years of isolations during covid. We also assist other emergency services with people suffering mental health issues and ensuring their safety. We don’t publicise these rescues as we wouldn’t wish to cause any undue issues for the vulnerable person suffering. Our reward is knowing we have done our bit to help them.

‘’Morecambe RNLI cover 120 square miles across the Bay which floods and ebbs twice a day, meaning an area of 120 sq. miles of depths up to 10 metres is both filled and then emptied twice in 24 hours. The result being the tide floods extremely fast, it has been noted at times the tide comes in ‘faster than a horse can run’. It is impossible to try to out run it.

‘’We responded to 56 incidents in 2021, one of our busiest years. This was only possible by the selfless bravery of our crews and charitable donations; via legacies, collection tins and our 2 shops. All of the volunteers in Morecambe are unpaid, our hovercraft crew, our lifeboat crew, our shore crew, our shop crew and our fundraising crew.

‘’So far this year we have responded to 20 incidents versus 12 over the same period in 2021, an increase of over 67%. If this trend continues, we could see as many as over 90 ‘shouts’ this year.

‘’We have recently created a water safety team to help educate water users before they enter the water or go on the beach led by Helen and supported by Wayne and Jan to target a reduction in incidents across our area. Please let us know if you wish to get in touch with them for advice and support.

‘’Morecambe RNLI recently had 15 volunteers recognised with Queens platinum jubilee medals along with other emergency services and continue to work closely with our partner agencies; the Police, Fire and Rescue Service, North West Ambulance Service and Her Majesty’s Coastguard.

“It is only through the selfless bravery, dedication and commitment of all our crews we are able to provide this essential cover. I’d like to thank each and every crew member, along with their families who are at home worrying about what the crew are tasked to. We stand ready to assist in keeping Morecambe Bay and the public safe when we are called upon. We wish you all a safe and happy summer season moving forward”

The link is for Morecambe Bay tide times.