Weymouth RNLI perform most rescues in UK for year (From Dorset Echo)

Weymouth RNLI perform most rescues in UK for year

1:50pm Tuesday 7th February 2012 in Local News By Samantha Harman

A LIFEBOAT crew has proved its dedication to saving lives after assisting the most people to safety last year than any other lifeboat service.

RNLI Weymouth brought 176 people to shore in 2011 – the second busiest year on RNLI record.

The volunteer crews, who risk their lives to save others, assisted the highest number of people in the country.

Ken Francis of Weymouth RNLI said: “We are all pleased to have been able to assist so many people and to have assisted the largest number of people for the year.

“This figure for 2011 has been down to several incidents with large numbers of people involved.

“It is unusual to have so many shouts with large numbers but we’re dedicated and we do everything we can to assist in any incident.”` Ken added that donations were a vital part of the life-saving operation.

He said: “We rely on charity donations. Our work is funded by members of the public and manned by volunteers.

“We give up our time to help members of the public at sea.

“If we did not receive donations then we wouldn’t have been able to go to sea and assist all of those people. It’s that simple.

“You never know when you are going to need us.”

The station was the second busiest in Dorset with 113 launches, following Poole which launched 140 times.

Diver Mark Carroll, who was caught in a fast-moving tide with his brother-in-law Paul Taylor, spoke of his appreciation for the service after it launched to assist them last year.

They were rescued by the Portland helicopter search and rescue team about one and a half miles south west of Portland Bill.

The pair, from Bexley, Kent, had spent around 45 minutes in water in ferocious weather conditions.

Mark said: “Both lifeboats were launched to rescue us. We were plucked from the sea by the helicopter because we were so far out in terrible conditions.

“Nevertheless the crew of the lifeboats risked their lives to get there.

“We were told they were about 20 minutes away when we were rescued.

Graham Knott, skipper of Wey Chieftan said: “It’s a fantastic service and it’s absolutely vital.”

Elsewhere in the county, the Lyme Regis crew launched 30 times and assisted 23 people.

Adrian Carey, RNLI divisional inspector, said the figures illustrate the continuing commitment of the charity’s teams.

He said: “Statistics show just how dedicated our lifeboat crew volunteers and our lifeguards are in the region, providing cover in foul weather and fair.”

HEROIC DEEDS ON RECORD

In May last year, a couple praised the Weymouth Lifeboat crew who came to their rescue within minutes after a lump of weed became tangled around the propeller of their yacht in strong tides off Portland.

Mike and Hazel Bartlett, from Seaton, Devon, took to the sea to celebrate Mr Bartlett’s retirement.

Mrs Bartlett said: “Saying thank you to the lifeboat and coastguards isn’t enough.

“They were absolutely brilliant, so kind and professional and so calm.”

The training vessel Leader, pictured, with 16 people on board was rescued by coastguards and the lifeboat after its mast snapped close to <&bh"http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/search/?search=Portland">Portland<&eh> Race in September.

In November, a drifting fishing boat was assisted by the Weymouth lifeboat after its initial rescue boat ran out of fuel A 10m catamaran responded to the ‘all-vessels safety broadcast requesting assistance’ for Gemma T but the RNLI all-weather Lifeboat had to complete the rescue.

In December the lifeboat rescued an injured woman from a Brittany Ferry which was travelling from Portsmouth to Santander, Spain after she slipped and fell onboard.

The lifeboat transferred medical supplies and extracted the injured passenger.