New Brighton RNLI take to the skies in helicopter exercise!
New Brighton RNLI took part in a pre-arranged training exercise with HM Coastguard helicopter unit Rescue 936, on Wednesday 15 May.
It was a slightly different training session for New Brighton’s volunteer Atlantic-85 crew last week, as they were out exercising with Rescue 936, a helicopter unit from HM Coastguard.
Helicopter operations form a crucial part of training for command roles for RNLI crew, and this was a rare opportunity for practical experience in how to conduct transfers from sea to sky alongside Coastguard colleagues.
RNLI lifeboats may often have to work with helicopter units when conducting multi-agency searches, or when transferring casualties into the helicopter, when urgent medical care is required.
Launching at approximately 2pm, Wednesday 15 May, the volunteer crew headed out in calm conditions on a bright sunny day to rendezvous with the helicopter at approximately 2:30pm. Once communication had been established, the lifeboat ran alongside the helicopter, matching its speed so that a winchman could be deployed safely and effectively onto the deck of New Brighton’s Atlantic-85. Once safely on board, the crew talked through the different approaches and considerations when working with helicopters, before different New Brighton helms practiced their approaches, collecting and releasing the winchman line.
After a number of successful practice runs, the winchman was lifted back into the helicopter safely, which marked the conclusion of the exercise.
Mark Harding, helm at New Brighton RNLI, said:
‘This was a fantastic opportunity for our crew to get practical, real-life experience in working with a very busy Coastguard helicopter asset. The exercise was a long time in planning, so to see it come to fruition is great. We are proud to work so closely with HM Coastguard, and the opportunity to train with valued colleagues on a very technical, high-risk aspect of our duties was invaluable. The continued effective communication and co-operation between ourselves and HM Coastguard ensures we can continue our mission to save lives at sea.’
Notes to Editors:
New Brighton RNLI was established in 1863 in the bustling seaside resort of New Brighton, on the northeast corner of the Wirral peninsula. They cover the River Mersey and out into the Irish Sea.
The station is home to a B-class Atlantic 85 lifeboat, one of the fastest in the RNLI fleet. The crews at New Brighton have been presented with a remarkable 48 awards for gallantry to date.
RNLI Media Contacts:
For more information, please contact:
Connor Wray
Lifeboat Press Officer/ILB Crew
New Brighton RNLI
07756553092
Emily Craven
Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer/ILB Crew
New Brighton RNLI
07986119684
Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith
Regional Communications Manager
07977728315
Danielle Rush
Regional Communications Lead
+441745538995
Or RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.