VIDEO: Sea sick family rescued by lifesavers

Blackpool, Lytham and Fleetwood lifeboats were called out to three emergencies on Saturday as people found themselves in trouble at sea.

Blackpool RNLI was contacted by a family who were lost after their 17ft motorboat broke down at 2pm.

Paul Parton from Blackpool RNLI said: “They had set out from Knott End about two hours previously.

“We launched the Atlantic lifeboat and checked within a five to seven mile area off the coast but couldn’t find them.

“We asked for Fleetwood lifeboat to be launched, a helicopter was scrambled from the west coast and Barrow lifeboat was launched.”

The boat was found up to eight miles off the shore, more than two hours after the family called for help.

Mr Parton said two children on board were suffering the effects of sea sickness and the sun. They were taken to Blackpool Lifeboat Station, where they were treated by paramedics.

Watch manager Stuart Atkinson, from Liverpool Coastguard, said: “This boat had totally inappropriate equipment which the people on board were not able to use.

“All boats taken out to sea should have a VHF radio, lifesaving equipment and flares.

“People on board should know how to use them.”

Blackpool’s second lifeboat was alerted to a 999 call after two teenagers were blown off the coast at Anchorsholme in a dingy at 4.30pm on Saturday. They were pulled ashore.

It means Blackpool RNLI volunteers have responded to nine incidents in four days.

Lytham Lifeboat was also called out at 3pm on Saturday after a yacht caught fire off St Annes. The crew on board the yacht had put the fire out, and the lifeboat crew brought it in to the River Ribble.

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