Yorkshire Coast RNLI Lifesavers Remain On Call this Christmas

As the Royal National Lifeboat Institution comes to the end of its milestone 200th year, its volunteer crew members are spending Christmas on call.

On average, RNLI lifeboats launch over 100 times during the Christmas period every year. Whatever weather winter throws at them, RNLI crews are ready to battle the elements to save lives at sea.

Just one of the hundreds of teams of volunteers preparing for a Christmas on-call is that of Bridlington RNLI in East Yorkshire, where there has been a lifeboat station since 1805.

Last December, on the night of their annual Christmas party, the crew were called shortly before midnight to assist with an urgent medical evacuation from a wind farm supply vessel, anchored 85 nautical miles off the coast.

Coxswain Steve Emmerson said:

‘Not long after getting home from the party, the pager went,

I showed up at the station in half-and-half – dress trousers paired with a pyjama top!’

Crew Member and Lifeboat Training Coordinator Sarah Berrey added

‘I ran to the station in my dress – I’d just managed to get my heels off and some flip-flops on! We laughed as we kitted up.’

Facing darkness, strong winds and choppy seas, the crew began the three-hour journey out to the vessel, and transferred the sick casualty on board. They then faced a gruelling five-hour trip back to land, as conditions worsened and the person who had been evacuated became more

Sarah recalls:

‘We were hitting massive waves – going up and then crashing down over the other side,’

When the crew finally reached shore, they handed the casualty into the care of the Coastguard, and were finally able to head home.

Steve Emmerson said:

‘There’s no feeling quite like bringing someone home safe – especially at Christmas. We’re dedicated to saving lives at sea and even though it was our Christmas party, we’d stuck to soft drinks so that we were ready to launch if needed.

It’s a testament to the crew’s skill and professionalism that this transfer in terrible conditions went so smoothly. Even at this time of year, people still need rescuing, and we’re all prepared to leave our own celebrations to help them.’

Further up the coast Liz Wilson, who is celebrating her 20th year as Staithes and Runswick RNLI lifeboat crew is just one of the many volunteers who will be on call throughout the Christmas period this year.

Liz joined the lifeboat crew in late 2004. Attending the regular training sessions. Her first shout came shortly after, when the pagers went off at 12.30pm on 27 December 2004 Liz acted as shore crew. The very next day, Liz was at the station again as shore crew on a follow-up call out.

Both Liz and her husband Chris are RNLI volunteers, Liz recalls the all too familiar moment when the pager sounds, often leading to a frantic race for the door:

‘It’s like we’re both in some kind of mad dash to be the first one out,

Chris, as the Launch Vehicle Driver, and I both end up tripping over each other, trying to get out the door as quickly as possible.’

Liz’s description highlights the urgency of the moment. It’s a routine they’ve grown accustomed to, but every time the pager sounds, this urgency is real. Even during this comical scramble, both Liz and Chris are focused on the task at hand, ready to leap into action as soon as they can – it will be no different this Christmas, with both pausing the presents and turkey if the call comes to save lives at sea.

Liz added:

‘There’s nothing quite like being able to bring someone safely back to their family – especially at Christmas time. Even during the holiday season, people can still get into trouble on the water, and we’re always ready to leave our own celebrations to help.

‘However, as volunteer lifeboat crew members, we depend on the generous donations from the public to fund the training, and equipment we need to rescue others and ensure we can return safely to our own families.’

As the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) comes to the end of its milestone 200th year, the charity launched its annual Christmas fundraising appeal, with a focus on the volunteer crew members who are preparing to spend Christmas on call.

To make a donation to the RNLI’s Christmas Appeal, and enable the charity to continue its lifesaving work, visit: https://RNLI.org/WinterAppeal