Grounded on a sandbank
At 09.45 pm, Liverpool Coastguard received a 999 call, from three men who had become grounded on a sandbank somewhere between Lytham St. Annes and Southport.
The men, who were on a three-metre RHIB had no means to navigate, had no lights and only mobile phones to communicate. As the men could not be certain as to which side of the river Ribble they were, Coastguard Rescue Teams from Lytham and Southport were tasked.
After firing white illuminating flares to try and locate them, Merseyside Police helicopter offered to assist in the search and located them approximately 2 nautical miles northwest of the old sandworks at Crossens.
MRCC Liverpool sent Southport IRB and their two quad-bikes to the position and with the assistance of Southport Coastguard team they transferred the men, one of whom appeared to be suffering from the effects of hypothermia, from their boat back to shore and a waiting ambulance for assessment.
It transpired that one of the casualties had been overboard trying to pull the craft into deeper water, this man was transferred to Southport Hospital. Southport IRB later recovered the RHIB to their boat-house.
Paul Parkes, Watch Manager, Liverpool Coastguard said:
Once again, we would like to emphasise to people taking craft onto the water to take responsibility for their actions. A VHF radio to communicate with the Coastguard is a must, lifejackets, which should be worn, appropriate clothing for the activity being undertaken and let us know your passage plan. Your boat should also be fitted out for navigating at night.
Register your craft with our small boat and safety scheme CG66.
We would recommend that before going to the beach or coastal areas that you check the tides. In certain areas, around the coast, tides can move very fast and you can very easily find yourselves in trouble. Dial 999 for the Coastguard.
Source: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
