Barrow RNLI’s volunteer crew was called to help a windsurfer in trouble over the weekend.
Yesterday, Sunday March 30, Barrow RNLI was called at around 1.15pm.
HM Coastguard requested an immediate launch of the Barrow inshore lifeboat, Raymond and Dorothy Billingham, following reports of a windsurfer in difficulty in the area around Roa Island and Foulney Island.
It was reported by a member of the public that the windsurfer was waving and shouting for help.
The lifeboat was launched with Saul Tomlin at the helm assisted by crew, Michael Armstrong and Fraser Livesey.
It was established that the windsurfer had managed to reach Foulney Island but with the high spring tides the casualty was waiting for the tide to recede before he could get back to the Roa Island causeway.
There was some uncertainty as to whether there was a second windsurfer in difficulty and the Coastguard requested that the all-weather lifeboat be launched to undertake a wider search.
Furness Coastguard Rescue Team and Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 936 were also deployed.
The Grace Dixon was launched at 1.50pm with coxswain Jonny Long in command along with a crew of five and began a search from the south end of Walney Island heading back towards Roa Island.
Meanwhile, the inshore lifeboat picked up the casualty from Foulney Island after he reported that he had taken on water and was suffering with cramp. The lifeboat took the casualty to the slipway at Roa Island Boat Club to await assessment by paramedics who had been called.
At 2.25pm, with nothing further found, the Coastguard stood down the remaining search teams.
It was a busy weekend for Barrow RNLI as the volunteer crew were also called out at 11.20pm on Saturday.
The Coastguard had received reports of red distress flares being seen off the coast at Morecambe and tasked the Barrow crew to assist the Morecambe lifeboat team in conducting a search.
The crew was paged and the all-weather lifeboat, Grace Dixon, was launched at midnight under the command of coxswain Shaun Charnley, along with a crew of seven.
After a 40-minute sea passage, the lifeboat began a search off the Morecambe coast in challenging conditions with a large tide running and winds gusting up to Force 8.
The Morecambe D-Class inshore lifeboat conducted a search further to the north.
After an extensive search area was covered, and nothing found, the lifeboat teams were stood down by the Coastguard and returned to their respective stations.
The Barrow lifeboat was back at the Barrow boathouse at 4.30am.
Chris Clouter, Barrow Lifeboat press officer, said: “It has certainly been a busy Mothering Sunday for our crews and is a perfect demonstration of how our volunteers are there when you need them, day or night and all year round.
“We are grateful to the member of the public that raised the alarm leading to the callout.”
