RNLI: Saving Lives at Sea

It was a pleasure to meet the RNLI Blackpool volunteers this week.

I met with Steve, Pat, Simon and Rick, four of 21 volunteer boat crew who dedicate their spare time to saving lives at sea.

At the lifeboat station on the prom there are also 18 volunteers working in the shop and visitor’s centre—many having dedicated their time to the RNLI for over 20 years. The visitor’s centre is open throughout the week for passers-by and educational visits.

The Blackpool team has a strong relationship with the Fleetwood and St Anne’s team, a testament to their commitment to ensuring safety at sea across the Fylde Coast.

Just prior to my visit, they had received their 124th task in (call out) of this year. Last year they responded to 148 in total - the numbers are rising year on year.

A harrowing 70% of these incidents are mental health related - a problem the team has seen steadily rise over the last decade.

Other incidents they face include residents and tourists getting cut off by the tide, sand-banking, and even jet ski accidents.

The team is actively looking to recruit new volunteers —you can find the details on their Facebook page: RNLI Blackpool