Blackpool RNLI crews respond to eight emergency callouts in dramatic Bank Holiday rescue weekend
‘The callouts included reports of people struggling in the sea, drifting water crafts and late-night searches’
Blackpool RNLI were called to action eight times over the Bank Holiday weekend as crews responded to a string of emergencies along the Fylde Coast.
The hot weather saw an unprecedented amount of people on the beaches - leaving areas away from the beach quieter than normal - as people made the most of the first heatwave of the year.
The callouts included reports of people struggling in the sea, drifting water crafts and late-night searches.
The weekend started with three callouts in Blackpool - on Friday and Saturday that were both resolved quickly but the peak was yet to come.
Volunteer lifeboat crews were tasked at 6.39pm on Sunday to a person in the sea at high tide from North Pier. Crews prepared to launch one of the D-Class lifeboats but were stood down after the person was helped by Blackpool Council Beach Patrol liferings.
Bank Holiday Monday saw four calls. At 6.18pm crews went to assist a jetskier who had broken down and was drifting a mile off Central Pier.
They launched the lifeboat Blackpool Endeavour and recovered the disabled craft bringing the four casualities to shore.
Two and a half hours later, a second call came in for a person seen struggling in the sea off Central Pier. Blackpool Endeavour was back out again heading for the area before Blackpool Police confirmed the person had made it safely to shore.
Then 45 minutes later, at 9.25pm, a report was made that kayakers were in difficulty off Rossall Beach resulting in another launch. Crews later stood down after shore patrols were able to conclude the rescue.
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The final callout came at 1.18am this morning (Tuesday) following concern for a person in the sea near the Metropole Hotel. The lifeboat was launched but was later stood down.
A spokesperson for Blackpool RNLI said: “Whilst the focus is on the operational lifeboat crew, with each lifeboat needing three experienced and qualified crew, there also needs to be drivers to launch, launch authorities, head launchers and our invaluable shore crew.
“To the whole team, and their families who are always impacted, thank you for your volunteering commitment.
“As ever, with the good weather continuing, please take care around the water and be aware of your surroundings. As happened this weekend, if you see anything of concern, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”