It was a dramatic weekend for Bridlington RNLI volunteer launch authority Josh Colley, who was on duty for the first time as a qualified launch authority
Bridlington RNLI all-weather boat Antony Patrick Jones launches into Storm Boelo(Image: RNLI/Mike Milner)
Lifeboats from Bridlington and Scarborough launched in high winds on Saturday, battling through Storm Boelo in winds exceeding 50mph. The RNLI reported that both lifeboat stations were tasked at 8.30am – a first time call out as a qualified launch authority for one of Bridlington ’s members.
The call came in from a distress beacon designed to alert search and rescue services when a vessel or person is in danger at sea. The beacon transmits a signal to a global search and rescue network when it is activated, signalling that emergency services should attend.
Bridlington RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat Antony Patrick Jones launched at 9.08am with a volunteer crew of five. Scarborough RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat Frederick William Plaxton also launched with a volunteer crew of six.
The RNLI reported that conditions at sea were “difficult”, with “winds exceeding 50mph” and waves up to four metres high. Working in Force 7 near-gale conditions, both crews “made steady progress towards the search area”. The HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter had also been tasked and carried out an aerial search.
The HM Coastguard helicopter was first to arrive on scene and conducted an extensive search of the area. After no vessel, debris or other signs of distress were found, HM Coastguard stood down the search operation.
Both RNLI lifeboats were also stood down and returned to their respective stations. Crews recovered the boats, washed them down and prepared them for any further service.
Bridlington RNLI volunteer launch authority Josh Colley, who was on duty for the first time as a qualified launch authority, said: “This was my first shout as a qualified launch authority and certainly a memorable one. Despite the challenging conditions brought by Storm Boelo, our volunteer crew responded quickly and professionally to the tasking.
“Whenever an emergency beacon is activated, we treat it as a genuine distress situation and launch immediately to provide assistance. Thankfully, on this occasion, nothing was found and all crews were able to return safely to their stations. I would like to thank the volunteers from both Bridlington and Scarborough RNLI, along with HM Coastguard, for their professionalism and teamwork throughout the incident.”
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