The RNLI in West Kirby and Hoylake had a busy Easter weekend with requests to assist in several rescues.
The UK Coastguard requested the launch of Hoylake RNLI hovercraft on Good Friday morning to aid a dog walker stuck in mud off Sandy Lane slipway in West Kirby as the tide was flooding in.
West Kirby RNLI lifeboat and local Coastguard Rescue Teams were also scrambled, but as the Hoylake hovercraft was launching, it was reported the casualty had been safely recovered by the West Kirby RNLI crew.
However, the UK Coastguard then requested for Hoylake to launch to assist Wirral RNLI Lifeguards with a group of adults and children cut off by the incoming tide whilst out for a walk along Hilbre Island. Again, West Kirby RNLI safely recovered the casualties to the shore.
Hoylake was then tasked to continue when it was discovered that the people rescued were not the originally reported casualties.
Alongside West Kirby RNLI, a careful search was conducted around Hilbre Island and, once it was confirmed all persons had been accounted for, both RNLI crews were stood down.
Then, en route back to the station, the hovercraft was sent to rescue a lone walker and dog trapped by the tide on the sea wall near Dovepoint Road in Meols. The casualty and dog were safely brought on board and as they required no medical assistance, they were flown ashore to the lifeboat station and passed to the Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team.
The bank holiday saw a further shout for the Hoylake RNLI crew, who were requested by the UK Coastguard just before 4am on Easter Sunday following a report from a member of the public of a red flare sighting off Hoylake. The Coastguard had also detected a faint ‘mayday’ call through a local radio aerial on VHF Channel 16.
Hoylake’s lifeboat and her crew launched, along with the Coastguard rescue helicopter, but no trace could be found.
Hoylake RNLI Coxswain Howie Owen said: “Alongside West Kirby RNLI, Wirral RNLI Lifeguards and the Coastguard, Hoylake RNLI volunteers responded to numerous call-outs over the bank holiday weekend.
“Tidal cut-offs were the leading cause of our taskings this Easter with all persons thankfully returned to shore safely.
“As we head towards the summer, we urge the public to always check tide times and weather and to carry a means of calling for help if heading to the coast.”
Howie added: “Our shout to a reported red flare sighting concluded after an extensive search with specialist equipment and no further reports of persons in distress.
“However, we always encourage anyone who sees a red flare or anyone in difficulty on or around the water to call the Coastguard immediately by dialling 999 or on VHF Channel 16.”
