Fleetwood and Morecambe RNLI recover speedboat crew in Morecambe Bay

Pagers were triggered in response to a tasking from HM Coastguard, who reported that a small speedboat had run aground with two persons aboard at Pop Corner, between Sunderland Point and Heysham. Fleetwood RNLI's inshore lifeboat Harbet was launched at approximately 3pm into calm seas and good weather.

Upon reaching the casualty vessel at 3.25pm, one volunteer waded ashore to make contact and assess the situation, while the rest of the crew ensured the lifeboat's safety in the face of a rapidly ebbing tide.

Assistance was requested from the hovercraft at Morecambe Lifeboat Station, which then launched to retrieve the crew of the speedboat and return the Fleetwood crew member to their lifeboat.

Morecambe's lifeboat Brenda Raworth was also launched to provide support - and care of the rescue was passed to them, with Fleetwood lifeboat returning to base at 4.25pm to be refuelled and ready for further service.

Notes to editors

• Fleetwood’s RNLI Inshore Lifeboat is named HARBET and is a D-Class boat.

• Morecambe’s RNLI Lifeboat is named BRENDA RAWORTH and is a D-Class boat.

• Morecambe’s RNLI hovercraft is named THE HURLEY FLYER.

• Photo credit: RNLI/ Robert Baines

• Fleetwood lifeboat station has been operating since 1859. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: http://fleetwoodlifeboat.org.uk/

• Morecambe lifeboat station was founded in 1966 and operates one of only four hovercraft in the RNLI fleet. More details about Morecambe RNLI may be found at https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/morecambe-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact David Devereux, Fleetwood RNLI Press Officer, on 07591 675733 / [email protected] Danielle Rush, RNLI Regional Communications Lead, West, on 07786 668829/ [email protected] or Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on 07977 728315 / [email protected]