Hoylake RNLI volunteer gives hot weather advice after first emergency call-outs

Owen Seymour joined Hoylake RNLI as a volunteer crew member just last year. As his pager sounded twice in one day on Thursday 10 July, he found himself launching on service along with his fellow volunteers on the charity’s Inshore Rescue Hovercraft Hurley Spirit.

The crew were first paged by HM Coastguard at 4:27pm when a person was reported as potentially in difficulty near the small boat moorings at West Kirby. With the tide due to turn soon, Owen and the hovercraft crew launched and headed to the scene alongside the Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team. On arrival, the crew searched the area although no casualty could be located. The Coastguard stood down the teams with the incident a suspected false alarm with good intent.

Later that day at 7:30pm, the crew were paged again alongside New Brighton RNLI lifeboat when two swimmers got into difficulty off Formby Point. Owen and the hovercraft crew launched and while en route, the casualties were rescued by Southport Lifeboat and a member of the public and were taken to safety. The RNLI hovercraft stood down and returned to station.

As more people head to the water to cool off in the hot weather, there are more risks to the public. Every year, there is a tragic spike in drownings in the summer months and most of them are preventable.

Accidental drownings are five times more likely when air temperatures are at or above 25 degrees, when compared with 10 degrees. With many students finishing exams and families heading out to enjoy the summer, the RNLI expects the coastline to be very busy.

Owen said: ‘While the two shouts on Thursday ended safely, RNLI crews know that the hot weather means our pagers could sound at any moment when somebody else gets into difficulty. We’re urging anyone heading to the coast to visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags. Always check tide times and weather forecasts and if you’re visiting a non-lifeguarded location, know the risks - read signage or seek local advice. If you find yourself struggling in the water, float to live - it could save your life.’

Speaking after the launches, Owen added: ‘When the pager went, it was an exciting point knowing that I may be asked to go on the hovercraft for the first time, but when there may be people in difficulty it brings home the responsibility of being an RNLI volunteer. As I arrived at the boathouse, our Coxswain told me to go get a drysuit on ready for launch. All the crew were really supportive and excited for me, which was a fantastic feeling as we're all part of one crew. It was also great to know both shouts ended safely.'

The RNLI advises anyone struggling in the water to Float To Live:

• Tilt your head back with ears submerged

• Relax, breathe normally and move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat

• It’s ok if your legs sink, we all float differently

• Once you’re over the initial shock, call for help or swim to safety

• Remember it. Practise it. Share it.

If you see someone else in trouble in the water – Call, Tell, Throw:

• Call 999 or 112

• Tell them to Float To Live

• Throw them something that floats

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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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.