New Brighton’s volunteer crew were tasked early on Sunday 12 March to assist two women and two dogs who had become cut off by the tide on the North Bank sandbank, off Leasowe Bay.
UK Coastguard tasked New Brighton’s inshore lifeboat, Charles Dibdin, to reports of two women and two dogs, who had become stranded on a cut off sandbank on a fast-flooding tide.
The bank in question, North Bank, just off Leasowe bay, has a very short window of time between being cut off by the tide and being completely submerged, and had already been cut off when the call came in.
New Brighton RNLI was tasked at 9:42am on Sunday 12 March, due to fast flowing tide and projected depth of tide for that day. Wirral Coastguard units were able to communicate with the casualties and informed them to remain on the sand bank until the lifeboat arrived on scene.
Once on scene, the casualties were placed in life jackets and assessed for injuries. Once the crew were satisfied that all parties were well enough to be recovered to the boat, the process of evacuation began. All casualties, two women and their two dogs, were recovered to lifeboat and returned to Fort Perch Rock Beach.
Once safely back on shore, local Coastguard units provided first aid. New Brighton RNLI returned to station to wash down and prepare for next service.
New Brighton helm, Dan Wardle, said, “The North Bank is notorious for catching people out, due to its fast-flowing tide and short timeframe between being cut off and completely submerged. We were able to recover these casualties quickly and efficiently, with the help of our colleagues at the Coastguard, who were excellent that morning.
“If you are walking out near the water, always be sure to check tide times before you go and always carry a means of calling for help with you. If you should get into trouble yourself, or observe others in difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”
Image: New Brighton RNLI bring the casualties back in for recovery. Credit: RNLI/Connor Wray
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