RNLI Skegness applauds Operation Atlantis as exemplar multi-agency collaboration

Tuesday 4 July 2023

RNLI Skegness is proud to showcase Operation Atlantis, an innovative multi-agency initiative led by Lincolnshire Police, showcasing that working together across agencies can improve effectiveness in seaside locations like Skegness, Ingoldmells, and Mablethorpe.

Lifeboats, Police and Lifeguard Team together in Skegness

Operation Atlantis brings together Lincolnshire Police, HM Coastguard, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), NCI Coastwatch and East Lindsey District Council in a two-phase approach to ensure safety during the summer season.

Phase one offers immersive engagement opportunities and key safety messaging, including the rollout of Sandi Starfish wristbands, while phase two adopts a reactive approach to assist in the search for missing people on local beaches.

Lincolnshire Police Chief Inspector Lee St Quinton expressed his pride in the scheme, saying: 'Operation Atlantis is a shining example of how teamwork and collaboration between agencies can make a real difference in the safety of our seaside towns. We are proud to work closely with our partners to create a safer environment for both locals and visitors.

'Our summer plans involve a diverse range of partners for Operation Atlantis, a water safety campaign educating adults and children. Collaborating with RNLI, NCI Coastwatch, and HMCG, we've conducted immersive training at Skegness and Mablethorpe, improving our partnership approach for enhanced safety. With positive early results, we're excited for the summer ahead.'

One recent example of the effectiveness of Operation Atlantis involved the case of a missing seven-year-old in Skegness. The child was reported missing after 45 minutes, and the quick response from all agencies involved ensured a seamless operation. Before any personnel arrived on the scene, Humber Coastguard was able to send information to the other agencies.

Within minutes, a possible sighting was reported by lifeguards and soon confirmed. All teams were stood down, and a single police officer completed the final steps with the family. This efficient communication and collaboration demonstrate the success of the multi-agency approach in action.

Ross Barraclough, Head of Region North and East, RNLI, praised the initiative, stating: 'By including the RNLI Lifeboat and Lifeguard teams in this multi-agency approach, we are improving the effectiveness and response of service launches, ultimately reducing incidents, injuries, and preventing deaths. This collaboration allows us to reach positive outcomes for the public more efficiently than ever before.'

The Sandi Starfish scheme, an integral part of Operation Atlantis, recently helped reunite a 5-year-old boy with his parents after he went missing on Skegness beach. This initiative provides free wristbands and flags as meeting points to quickly locate lost children, significantly reducing distress for families and the impact on local authorities.

If you're visiting the coast this summer between Skegness and Mablethorpe, remember to:

Collect a free Sandi Starfish wristband
Write your contact information on the inside of the wristband
Use the Sandi Starfish flags along the beach as a meeting point

For more information about Operation Atlantis and the Sandi Starfish initiative, please contact Lincolnshire Police.

Notes to editors

The RNLI is the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Skegness RNLI is based on Tower Esplanade, Skegness. The lifeboat station was founded in 1825 and the volunteer crew use an all-weather Shannon class lifeboat Joel and April Grunnill and D class lifeboat The Holland Family.

RNLI media contacts

For further information, please contact:

Brad Johnson, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for lifeboat station RNLI on [email protected]

RNLI Press Officer: [email protected]
Lincolnshire Police Press Officer: [email protected]

Table top exercise with multiple agencies

Debrief of exercise with Operation Atlantis agencies

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.

RNLI Skegness applauds Operation Atlantis as exemplar multi-agency collaboration

About the author

Categories