Barrow RNLI Lifeboat Called to Piel Island

The call for assistance was received from the regional HM Coastguard base in Holyhead just after midnight. The Coastguard requested that the lifeboat be launched and transport the casualty back to Roa Island and the waiting Ambulance crew.

The crew was paged and the Barrow inshore lifeboat, ‘Vision of Tamworth’, was launched at 0-30am with Andy Baxter at the helm assisted by Adam Cleasby and Sean Hagan.

The lifeboat made the short crossing to Piel Island where the casualty was assessed and then helped aboard the lifeboat by the crew. Within a few minutes, the lifeboat was able to return to the lifeboat station and the casualty was then handed over safely to the care of the North West Ambulance Service.

The lifeboat was rehoused at 1-00am after being washed down and made ready for the next launch.

The weather at the time of the incident was clear with good visibility and the wind was south-westerly, Force 4. The high tide occurred at 0-35am with a predicted height of 8.8 metres.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 142,700 lives.

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