A coastguard rescue team in Cumbria is pleading with people not to be afraid to call for help.
Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team is warning people after comments circulated on social media following their callout last Thursday.
A statement posted on Facebook said: “Our co-ordination centre received 999 calls from two separate members of the public, reporting concerns for the safety of two bodyboarders, possibly in need of assistance at Braystones beach.
“Teams from both Whitehaven and Maryport Coastguard Rescue Team were dispatched to investigate and a request was also made for St Bees RNLI to launch and provide assistance. All coastguard teams are water rescue trained, amongst other competencies and were swiftly on scene.
“With an incoming tide and an onshore breeze, we soon had the individuals in our sights further up the coast at Nethertown. With St Bees lifeboat only a few minutes off scene, rather than our officers redeploy further north, we maintained a visual until the lifeboat was in the vicinity and able to check on the individuals and offer safety advice.
“The comments seen on social media suggest that these 999 calls and the assets deployed to check this were a waste of resources. We would like to stress that these comments couldn’t be any further from the truth.
“The two separate members of the public who took the time to call 999 asking for the coastguard and reporting their concerns have done exactly the right thing. With the weather soon improving and school Easter Holidays only around the corner (which is generally a busier time for people enjoying the coast), we want to ensure members of the public don’t delay and ponder on whether they should or shouldn’t have made the call.
“Our advice is simple; if you spot someone you believe may be in need of assistance, then please call 999 and ask for the coastguard. You may be that person’s last chance of raising the alarm. Whilst this specific incident turned out to be a false alarm with good intent, the next one may not be.
“As the initial caller, your action may just be enough to save someone’s life. It is much better to have assets deployed and stood down, than not deployed and be needed.”
In a coastal, sea or cliff emergency always 999 and ask for the coastguard.
