RNLI
- Thu 7th Jan 2010
RNLI top brass gives praise to Hayling Island lifeboat crew after sombre launch
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The volunteer lifeboat crew from Hayling Island RNLI lifeboat station have been officially commended after launching their lifeboat in November to search for a missing man who was possibly in the water but found dead in the mud.
The crew and lifeboat community at the Hampshire station have all been praised in an official letter written by Michael Vlasto, the RNLI’s Head of Operations based at the charity’s headquarters in Poole, Dorset.
In it, Michael expresses his sympathy and his appreciation for the crew’s efforts, and for their handling of the delicate situation with such sensitivity and tact.
The crew launched the station’s D-class lifeboat, Amanda, James and Ben and the station’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Derrick Battle, at 1.57am on 16 November, after reports that a man was missing from the area. The lifeboats searched the area in Chichester Harbour and within 15 minutes sadly, the man’s body was found on mud some 300 metres from the shoreline off Hayling Island.
Writing to Nigel Roper, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Hayling Island RNLI lifeboat station, Michael Vlasto said: ‘I am writing to express both my sympathy, but also my appreciation, for everyone at Hayling Island lifeboat station, including you, for everything that was done during the service on 16 November 2009.
‘What started initially as a search for a missing person, sadly turned into the recovery of his body. Local knowledge was used to establish the search area, which resulted in the poor man being found relatively quickly. The liaison with the Coastguard, police and ambulance services was excellent and the sensitivity in which the whole situation was handled is most creditable. Please thank everyone involved on my behalf for their actions.’
Hayling Island RNLI lifeboat station were tasked to 127 times in 2009, to emergencies ranging from stranded vessels, breakdowns, kitesurfers in need of assistance, medical emergencies and children missing off the local beaches.
Nigel Roper, Lifeboat Operations Manager, said he was pleased that the training and dedication of his crew was reflected in their handling of this particular event, despite the tragic outcome. He said: ‘Our volunteer crew members undergo intensive training to ensure that they are ready to respond to any kind of emergency. Sadly, there are times when a person cannot be rescued as we would want them to be, and in cases like this we have to deal with a rather grim reality. When that happens all we can do is act as quickly as we can and with the appropriate degree of tact and sensitivity that the situation demands.
‘Whilst we would all have wished for a different outcome, it is gratifying to receive this letter from our Operations Director and to find that our station’s efforts are appreciated at the highest level.’
Carol Carter, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer
Source:
BYM Marine & Maritime News
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