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09/06/2008

Hoylake Lifeboat under the command RNLI Coxswain Dave Whiteley was launched to assist a yacht that had run aground whilst approaching the River Dee.

Liverpool Coastguard requested the launch of the Lifeboat at 2325 09/06/2008 after the vessel, a 31ft Mirqui class catamaran with 2 persons on board, had run aground in an unconfirmed location. Three possible positions were given as the casualty’s GPS was inaccurate, The casualty was located by the RNLI Lifeboat sophisticated radar and direction finding equipment prior to launch.

After a short run, Coxswain Dave Whiteley positioned the “Lady of Hilbre” alongside the yacht to allow crew members Andy Dodd and Alastair Knowles to board her to assist with recovery.The vessel, with 2 crew members was bound for her moorings at West Kirby after leaving Milford Haven,

With the casualty safe in deep water, it was decided that the RNLI Hoylake Lifeboat should stand by the casualty until she could be safely moored up. With this achieved, the Lifeboat returned to station.

18/04/2008

RNLI Hoylake Lifeboat speeds to assist burns victim. Hoylake Lifeboat under the command of relief RNLI Coxswain Gary Bird was launched to assist a burns victim on board a ship on her way to the port of Liverpool. The Captain of the MV Pembroke Fisher called Liverpool Coastguard for advise after the Chief Engineer suffered severe burns to his arms, the coastguard patched the call through to a doctor in Aberdeen. The Doctor stressed the importance of getting the casualty ashore as soon as possible. Liverpool Coastguard requested the launch of Hoylake all weather Lifeboat.  Rescue 122. an RAF Helicopter from RAF Valley  was scrambled.

 The Lifeboat launched and proceeded at full speed towards the casualty, 2.2 miles Southwest of the Mersey Bar light vessel, both rescue units arrived on scene at the same time, Due to the nature of the Chief Engineers injuries, it was decide that the helicopter would be the best option.

RNLI Hoylake Lifeboat stayed on scene until the lift had been completed and the aircraft was safely on its way to Whiston burns unit, then returned to station.

23/02/2008

The Lifeboat crew were alerted by pager to a gentleman who had been cut off by the fast flooding tide, as the crew were mustering to take the Tallus Tractor to pick up the casualty, Second Coxswain Andy Dodd rescued the man on his quad bike.

16/01/2008 

Liverpool Coastguard requested the assistance of RNLI Hoylake Lifeboat Tallus T99 Tractor when it was feared that members of the public could be in danger, a dog was spotted on the East Hoyle sand bank, the dog had run across a gutter to the North West of Meols and had got cut off by the tide at 2 hours to high water.

Passers by attempted to assist the distraught owner recover the animal by trying to follow it across the gutter, The tractor, under the command of Mark Bevan, managed to shepherd the exhausted dog back to the beach and it relieved owner, Tallus T99, returned to station.

29/12/2007

Liverpool Coastguard requested the launch of Hoylake Lifeboat to assist in a search in the River Mersey, The Lifeboat under command of RNLI Coxswain Dave Whiteley, launched into a North Westerly force 10, driving rain and severely reduced visibility.

The Hoylake RNLI Lifeboat sped towards the River Mersey to assist New Brighton RNLI Lifeboat and Fire and Rescue service vessel Marine Fire 1, in the search for a reported man overboard from a yacht at Bromborough, the incident turned out to be a false alarm with good intent and all 3 units were stood down and the RNLI Lifeboats returned to station.

05/12/2007

Whilst in contact with Liverpool V.T.S , Port Control Office over a pilotage booking, matter, Hoylake Lifeboat Operations Manager, Liverpool Pilot John Curry, became aware of the fact that the Liverpool Pilot launch “Dunlin”, with three persons on board was in difficulties in the Crosby Channel.

An electrical fire had broken out in the engine room and the crew of the launch were in the process of extinguishing the flames with the fixed fire-fighting system.  The pilotage Manager Frank Walker, in a swift discussion with John agreed that an immediate Launch of the Hoylake all-weather Lifeboat was necessary as a possible lifesaving measure for there were no other vessels in the vicinity.  The Lifeboat was alerted and the Liverpool Coastguard informed. 

“The Lady of Hilbre”, Hoylake’s Mersey Class Lifeboat, under the command of  RNLI Deputy Second Coxswain Steve Armitage, launched and sped towards the casualty.  The pilot launch crew and the pilot on board, had managed to drop an anchor, which initially failed to hold, as with a wind in excess of thirty knots from the West and the start of the flood tide, conditions were far from favourable for anchoring such a small craft. As luck would have it the anchor caught the mooring chains of the C8 channel buoy, and the cable held, preventing the pilot launch from being swept by wind and tide onto the Crosby Sands.  Time was of the essence, for with the rising tide covering the banks the westerly swell could possibly have caused the anchor cable to part. 

Liverpool Coastguard requested further assistance in the guise of the New Brighton Lifeboat and the R.A.F. Helicopter from Valley.  In the event, all three S.A.R. units arrived at the casualty at approximately the same time and it was decided that the Hoylake Lifeboat should make fast a towing-rope.  The RNLI Coxswain of the Lifeboat, Steve Armitage manoeuvred the lifeboat into position for the tow to be passed and secured in the ever-worsening conditions.  The tow was secured and the launch anchor, buoyed and slipped, to enable the casualty to be towed to, first the safety of the deep-water channel and then onwards to the safety of the Liverpool Langton Lock.  Having secured the tow in the lock, and with a second pilot launch, which had also been despatched to the casualty in attendance, the lifeboat returned to station.                     

01/12/2007

Liverpool Coastguard requested the attendance of Tallus Tractor T95 to a Paracart that had been blown to the East on the Hoyle Bank, the tide was flooding quite fast and Coastguards at Liverpool were concerned for the riders safety, on approaching the reported position the Tractor was returned to station as the casualty had waded ashore through the incoming tide.

11/11/2007

On returning from the remembrance day parade at the cenotaph, Hoylake Lifeboat was asked to back up West Kirby Lifeboat due to weather conditions.

West Kirby had launched to a Kite Surfer who had been missing for 2 hours, the casualty was picked up shortly after the inshore Lifeboat had launched and Hoylake Lifeboat was stood down and returned to Station.

30/10/2007

A man was observed walking towards the sea at about 1400hrs, Station mechanic Dave McKenzie contacted Liverpool Coastguard, who promptly dispatched 2 auxiliaries to the Lifeboat Station.

Liverpool Coastguard requested Hoylake's Tallus Tractor T99 attend the scene with the 2 Coastguards, the man was apparently going for a swim, but he was informed of the dangers and returned to the beach.

16/09/2007

Whilst on exercise for the start of the Clipper Yacht Race, Hoylake Lifeboat was requested to assist New Brighton Lifeboat who had put a crew member aboard,   and had started to tow a vessel that had been dismasted , Coxswain Dave Whiteley put the Hoylake Lifeboat alongside the vessel to allow 2 crew members to be put aboard the stricken vessel.

The crew members, Emily Jones and Steve Armitage. assisted in getting the mast cleared and secured aboard the vessel, the casualty was towed towards the lee side of the River Mersey by New Brighton Lifeboat,  While the Lifeboat crew were aboard the Mast and rigging were cleared and the vessel proceeded to Liverpool Marina under its own steam.

28/07/2007

Whilst on exercise in the River Mersey, Hoylake Lifeboat was contacted by Liverpool Coastguard, and tasked to a 32ft angling vessel that had engine problems and was anchored in the vicinity of the Brazil buoy in the entrance to the River Mersey. The Lifeboat under the command of Second Coxswain Andy Dodd went alongside the casualty in rough and confused sea's that occur in close proximity to the Old Rock Channel. Once it was established that the casualty's engine was unserviceable, a tow was connected and the vessel was taken to the safety of Liverpool Commercial docks via Langton lock, the Lifeboat returned to station.

12/07/2007

A 10 metre yacht with 3 persons on board in a position 6 miles West of the Bar Light, in the approaches to the River Mersey requested the assistance of a Lifeboat from Liverpool Coastguard due to a faulty gearbox rendering the engine unserviceable. Hoylake Lifeboat under the command of second Coxswain Andy Dodd launched to the casualty. Crew member Jon Henshaw was put aboard the vessel and a tow was secured within the hour. The casualty was towed to the safety of Liverpool Marina, and the Lifeboat returned to station.
 
04/07/2007

17/06/2007

Whilst  engaged on a routine exercise up the River Mersey to take part in the re-enactment of the Monks Ferry row across the River, Crew members noticed three persons in the water just off Seacombe Ferry Terminal. As the Hoylake Lifeboat under the command of Coxswain Dave Whiteley sped to their assistance, it became apparent that they had fallen off  the Jet ski which was floating nearby.
Two persons remounted the jet ski and one young lady, who appeared to be winded was brought aboard the Lifeboat, after it was decided that the casualty was OK, she was transferred to New Brighton Lifeboat who took her back to New Brighton.
 
 

22/05/2007

A tanker by the name of "Babadag" bound for Shells Stanlow oil refinery was anchored waiting on the tide before proceeding up the River Mersey. The Pilot vessel "Kittiwake" was following the vessel "Coastal Wave" in preparation to take the Pilot off, the Pilot, Mr John Curry is also Lifeboat Operations Manager at Hoylake Lifeboat station. It became apparent the Russian Chief Officer of the "Babadag", Denis Yaichkin had been suffering chest pains for about 5 days, with this in mind, Liverpool Coastguard requested the launch of Hoylake Lifeboat. The Pilot vessel, having recovered the Pilot/LOM then proceeded to the "Babadag" to where the casualty who was mobile, was transferred. Hoylake Lifeboat went alongside the "Kittiwake" at the Q5 Channel buoy, where Lifeboatman/first aider Andy Dodd and medical equipment were transferred. The Pilot launch the proceeded to a waiting ambulance at the Woodside ferry terminal where the casualty was removed to Hospital, Hoylake Lifeboat then returned to station, and the casualty was returned to St Petersburg on 24/05/2007.

06/05/2007

Hoylake Lifeboat was tasked by Liverpool Coastguard to  assist West Kirby Lifeboat in the search for a windsurfer lost in the Dee estuary, as the Lifeboat made her way to her launch position, West Kirby Lifeboat picked up the casualty and the Hoylake boat returned to station.

15/04/2007

 
At 1600 on Sunday 15th April, Holyhead Coastguard tasked Hoylake Lifeboat, under the command of Coxswain Dave Whiteley to assist Rhyl Lifeboat in a search for a Motor boat and 2 jet skis in thick fog, After an intensive search by the Lifeboats and Rescue Helicopter 122 from RAF Valley, the casualties were located and the "Lady of Hilbre" stood down.
 
Whilst the situation to the West was being resolved, Liverpool Coastguard requested Hoylake's small tractor, (Tractor Bravo) assist in the search for people returning from Hilbre Island who were also lost in the fog on an incoming tide, When the persons concerned were accounted for, the tractor returned to the Lifeboat Station to prepare for recovery of the Lifeboat.
 
On returning to the Lifeboat Station, Hoylake Lifeboat then received a call from Liverpool Coastguard saying that a yacht, with 4 persons on board had hit the Training wall in the approaches to the River Mersey, the Lifeboat made all speed towards the casualty.
On arrival at the scene, another yacht was also having trouble with the visibility, Hoylake Lifeboat and New Brighton Lifeboat escorted the vessels towards the safety of Liverpool Marina, Hoylake Lifeboat then returned to station and was refuelled and ready for Service at 2245.
 

13/04/2007

At 1745 on the 13th April, Hoylake Lifeboat launched to assist another yacht with engine failure and little wind to fill the sails on the flood of an evening tide.
The 35 foot Steel hulled vessel called Liverpool Coastguard for assistance to reach Liverpool Marina at Brunswick.
New Brighton Lifeboat and Marine Fire rescue 1 proceeded to assist, The Coastguard decided to launch the All Weather Lifeboat because of the size of the casualty.
Hoylake Lifeboat under the command of Coxswain Dave Whiteley proceeded through the old Rock Channel to rendezvous with Marine Fire 1 at the Brazil buoy, The "Lady of Hilbre" took over the tow and reached the safety of the Marina before returning to Station.
 
08/04/2007

Hoylake Lifeboat was tasked at 1015 Hrs to a 40 foot motor sailing yacht anchored to the North of the Q6 buoy in the approaches to the Mersey Channels, The motor yacht had been anchored for 2 tides attempting to replace a cylinder head gasket which had blown on passage to the Isle of Mann from the Marina at Brunswick.

A tow was secured on the flood of the day tide and the casualty, with five persons on board, was towed back to the safety of the Marina.

06/04/2007

Hoylake Lifeboat was called to the waters edge in pursuit of a runaway horse which had bolted into the tide shortly before High Water. 2 young girls pursued the horse into the water and there were fears for their safety.

Coastguards and Lifeboatmen paused at the waters edge when the horse turned towards the shore, when all 3 were safe, the lifeboat returned to station.

05/04/2007

Whilst out on exercise, Hoylake Lifeboat under the command of Coxswain Dave Whiteley received a call from Liverpool Coastguard requesting the Lifeboats participation in a search off Ainsdale beach where 2 jet ski's were believed to be missing.

As the visibility was bad, it was thought the Lifeboats Radar would benefit the search, as the search was completed, the Lifeboat was stood down and returned to station.

20/02/2007

Whilst out on Exercise, Hoylake Lifeboat under the command of Coxswain Dave Whiteley received a call from Liverpool Coastguard saying that a red distress flare had been sighted in the vicinity of the Point of Air and requested the Lifeboat to investigate, on approaching the area, Liverpool Coastguard received confirmation from a second informant that the flare had been set off over land and stood the Lifeboat down to continue important crew training.

03/02/2007

57 Anglers fishing the Point of Air bank near Prestatyn in North Wales became disorientated when thick fog descended on them and a small boat was lost, as the tide was due to start flooding, Holyhead and Liverpool Coastguards decided to launch Hoylake and Rhyl All weather Lifeboats, with Rhyls D class also in attendance. Hoylake Lifeboat under the command of Coxswain Dave Whiteley soon located the vessel and took the Skipper on board due to the density of the fog. With Holyhead mobile units also assisting ashore, all the anglers where returned safely ashore to their vehicles, The Lady of Hilbre was then released and returned to Station. BBC news report

03/02/2007

Liverpool Coastguard requested Hoylake Lifeboat under the command of Second Coxswain Andy Dodd to launch to an incident in the River Mersey, where a cargo ship and a ferry with 294 passengers on board had a coming together in thick fog, after it was ascertained that all passengers and crew were safe and the badly damaged ferry posed no problem, Hoylake Lifeboat returned to station. BBC news report

18/01/2007

Weather: West North Westerly, 10 - 11, Sea very rough, Visibility, Good.

A Boeing 727  en route from Belfast to Stansted, diverted to Liverpool, The Aircraft with 88 passengers and crew on board ,was reported to be low on fuel,  Full story Here, Liverpool Coastguard brought Hoylake Lifeboat to Immediate Readiness until the Aircraft had landed safely, when the crew were stood down.

08/01/2007

Hoylake Lifeboat "Lady of Hilbre" launched in the early afternoon on Monday 08/01/2007 at the top of high water in support of the Flint Inshore Lifeboat.

An eleven metres long Wind Farm support vessel with 2 persons on board had suffered engine failure due to fuel problems. The skipper had called for assistance, for although the weather conditions were not unpleasant, the forecast was for gale force winds. The flint crew were concerned that the towing of the craft might be to much for the Inshore Lifeboat if the conditions deteriorated.

In the event, Flint towed the craft to a safe mooring at Mostyn Dock from a position off Greenfields, with Hoylake Lifeboat, under the command of Coxswain Dave Whiteley, in support.

28/09/2006

A crew member of an installation barge working on the construction site of the new Burbo Wind farm out in Liverpool Bay suffering from an apparent head injury, was rushed to Liverpool's royal Infirmary.

Around noon on Thursday 28th of September, the Master of the installation barge became concerned when the Philippine crewmember became dizzy and showed signs of bleeding in the ears. the cause of the complaint was uncertain. Liverpool Coastguard was called and the Hoylake lifeboat was launched to convey the casualty to the Liverpool landing stage, where both he and a chaperone from the barge were landed to a waiting ambulance and paramedic care. During the relatively short and swift passage aboard the lifeboat, the patient was cared for and given oxygen by the trained crewmembers. The lifeboat under command of Coxswain Dave Whiteley returned to station.

27/08/2006

A Married couple returning from their 25th wedding anniversary, celebrated in The Isle of Mann, found themselves in dangerous waters when the engine failed on board their 38 foot motor sailing yacht, close to the entrance to the River Mersey. the Wind was Westerly force 6 - 7, and a rough sea made the large craft difficult for the Man and wife team to handle.

The couple from Liverpool made a radio call to Liverpool Coastguard shortly before 5am, and the Hoylake lifeboat, under the command of Coxswain Dave Whiteley sped North to the position of the casualty. Once located in the turbulent seas North of the Mersey Bar, a crewmember was put aboard to assist the couple and a line was secured. the Lifeboat towed the vessel to the safety of the Liverpool Dock system, through Langton Lock, before returning to station.

29/07/2006

Whilst on exercise in the River Mersey, Hoylake Lifeboat was tasked to The Clipper "New York" to assist an injured crew member, the man had dislocated his hip on the final stretch of the race. First Aiders from the crew of the lifeboat boarded the Clipper close to the New Kings Dock in the River Mersey.

The man was immobilized, placed in a stretcher and given Entonox before being transferred to a waiting ambulance.

25/07/2006

Liverpool Coastguard requested the launch of Hoylake Lifeboat to assist New Brighton Lifeboat in towing a casualty into Hoylake, upon arrival on scene it was observed that New Brighton had the job in hand and Hoylake Lifeboat returned to station.

28/03/2006

At 0630 Hrs on Tuesday 28th March, Hoylake Lifeboat made an early start to the day with a launch to the Russian born Chief Engineer of an Oil Rig Support vessel out in Liverpool Bay. The casualty was suffering from kidney stones and was in agony. After consultation with the vessels captain and Liverpool Coastguard, it was decided to launch Hoylake Lifeboat to the rescue.

The Lifeboat under the command of Coxswain Dave Whiteley, sped to a rendezvous with the vessel with a paramedic on board, and the casualty was taken on board the Lifeboat along with another crew member as chaperone. The Lifeboat proceeded into the River Mersey to Woodside Landing Stage to land the casualty to a waiting ambulance, which transported the unfortunate man for treatment at Wirral's Arrow Park Hospital, Job done, the Lifeboat returned to station.

14/11/2005

Hoylake Lifeboat also stood by at the waters edge on the afternoon of the 14th when the Douglas Platform, out in Liverpool Bay broadcast a potential gas leak emergency call to the Coastguard. With in half an hour the Rig crew had the situation under control and the Lifeboat was re housed.

09/11/2005

Weather: Calm, Visibility Good.

On passage from Rhyl to the River Mersey to fish for Cod, a ten metre long fishing vessel developed engine problems off the disused Leasowe lighthouse and sent out a distress call to Liverpool Coastguard. There were three adult male persons on board. The skipper believes he may have struck a submerged object, which damaged his motive power.

Hoylake Lifeboat was launched to her assistance under the command of Second Coxswain Andy Dodd. Conditions were calm and the disabled craft was reached in approximately twenty minutes from launching. A towrope was secured and a drogue was streamed from the shallow drafted casualty to steady her on the passage to the safety of Liverpool Yacht Marina. When the Marina lock was reached on the ebb of the tide and the casualty safely secured, the Lifeboat returned to station.

26/09/2005

Weather: Calm, Visibility good.

Hoylake Lifeboat launched at 0550hrs to investigate a DSC, (Digital Selective Calling, an automatic radio distress signal, shipboard device.) which had been picked up and reported to Liverpool Coastguard. The signal had been transmitted by a Danish dredger of 1200 tons with a four man crew, anchored in the Wild Roads anchorage off Mostyn in the River Dee. When the Lifeboat was close aboard the vessel, the master called Liverpool Coastguard that all was well and the alarm had be activated in error. The Lifeboat returned to station.

18/09/2005

Weather: Westerly 3-4, Sea Calm, Visibility Good.

Two young cyclists who had ridden out to the end of the groyne close to Leasowe lighthouse found themselves to be cut of by a swiftly rising spring tide. On the fine Sunday morning with a strong Westerly breeze blowing, the two young cyclists both of Leasowe had taken advantage of the fine weather to take a cycle down to the waters edge. The spring tide came in quickly behind them and they were stranded and in danger of drowning. A passer by spotted their plight and made a 999 cal to the Coastguard on a mobile phone.

Fortunately for the boys, Hoylake Lifeboat, the "Lady of Hilbre" was on passage to the River Mersey to escort the start of the Round the World Clipper race and diverted to their assistance. The water was too shallow for the Lifeboat to reach the boys, so Coxswain Dave Whiteley ordered the inflatable X-Craft to be deployed from the mother craft. Crew members Dave McKenzie and Chris Heighton rowed the X-Craft to the groyne and rescued the two boys from the racing waters. The bicycles were abandoned and the X-Craft returned to the Lifeboat. Safe on board the Lifeboat the casualties were transferred to New Brighton Lifeboat, which had been launched to their assistance and the Hoylake boat proceeded to the River Mersey.

07/09/2005

Weather: South Westerly, 5-6, Sea Rough, Visibility Good.

On the ebb of a spring tide, an 8 metre yacht with two crew members on board, found herself in difficulties at the entrance to the Liverpool channel approaches. The yacht was caught out over the relatively shallow waters of the Liverpool bar with wind against tide, where, on such occasions, the sea has been compared to a "Head of Guinness". At four hours ebb on the afternoon tide the crew of the vessel, both from Manchester were disabled when confused seas swamped their motor. The mainsail jammed when the attempt was made to hoist it.

With the strong South westerly wind, the craft was manoeuvred with difficulty to the southwest of the Q9 channel buoy, clear of any commercial traffic and a distress cal was made to Liverpool Coastguard.

Hoylake Lifeboat, under the command of Coxswain Dave Whiteley was launched to her assistance, The Lifeboat battled her way to the entrance of the channel and located the casualty, which was dragging the two anchors she had dropped in an attempt to hold position. Crew member Jon Henshaw boarded to assist the crew who were suffering from seasickness, as the casualties movements were somewhat violent in the heavy seas. A tow rope was secured and with anchors aweigh, the craft was towed slowly against the ebb tide to the safety of the River Mersey. The Lifeboat remained in attendance until the Liverpool yacht Marina lock was operational on the flood of the morning tide when the casualty was moored within this sanctuary, Hoylake Lifeboat returned to station.

29/08/2005

Weather: Calm, Visibility Good.

Hoylake Lifeboat was launched to a casualty, which was in distress in the vicinity of the wind farm off the North Wales coast. Rhyl Lifeboat had taken the thirty foot motor sailor in tow. the vessel with two persons on board was in difficulties and when no other berth was found to be available on the north coast, it was decided to assist her to her home port of Liverpool. Hoylake Lifeboat relieved Rhyl Lifeboat, enabling her to return to her own district in readiness for other casualties, whilst Hoylake towed the vessel to the safety of Liverpool Yacht Marina before returning to station.

25/08/2005

Weather: West North-Westerly 6-7, Sea Rough, Swell 2-3 Metres, Visibility Fair.

A 30 foot Yacht that had broken her moorings in Red Wharf Bay, Anglesey was drifting in the vicinity of the Hamilton Platform in Liverpool Bay and was considered to be a hazard to navigation. Hoylake Lifeboat under the command of Coxswain Dave Whiteley launched in rough conditions, late in the afternoon to take the hazard in tow.

The lifeboat did not return until the early hours of the next day having boarded crew members Jon Henshaw and James Whiteley, to manage the casualty whilst she was under tow to the safety of the Port of Liverpool.

21/08/2005

Hoylake Lifeboat's Tractor, under the command of tractor driver Mark Bevan, raced against the incoming spring tide to rescue a Hoylake angler who had been cut off by the rising waters and a member of the beach patrol who had attempted her own personal rescue, only to find the tide had cut her off from safety as well, Mark and other crew members brought the two to the safety of dry land.

30/07/2005

Weather: North North-Easterly 3, Sea Calm Visibility good.

Hoylake Lifeboat launched to a thirty foot motor cruise in difficulties in the River Mersey, The casualty was located and Crew member Tony Warburton was put aboard to assist in securing the tow which would take the motor cruiser and her crew to the safety of the Marina at Brunswick dock. Later that evening, the boat and crew stood-by at the water's edge in readiness to attend the Douglas Platform, which had reported a fire, and for a time was in readiness for the evacuation of all personnel. the fire was brought under control and the Lifeboat was stood down.

14/07/2005

Weather: Calm, Visibility Good.

Hoylake Lifeboat was called out at 1905 Hrs for a swift, mercy medivac dash to rendezvous with a Trinity House survey and buoy-tender vessel, which had been operational in the vicinity of the Mersey Bar Light Vessel when the ships cook had developed a stomach complaint and along with experiencing pains, he had developed a high temperature.

"Lady of Hilbre" was launched in calm conditions and sped to meet the Trinity House vessel to the North of Hoylake. The casualty was transferred to the Lifeboat, which proceeded via the old Rock Channel, to the Liverpool Landing Stage and a waiting ambulance. With the casualty in medical care the Lifeboat retuned to station.

12/07/2005

Weather: Calm, Visibility Poor

On the evening of the 12th July the Lifeboat was called out in calm conditions to a ten metre cockle-boat on passage to the cockle grounds of the River Dee. The skipper and his crew member, had been on passage from Scotland to Mostyn in time for the limited opening of the River Dee cockle beds when his engine failed, and he was forced to anchor on the approaches to the River Dee. Conditions were calm as the evening wore on but, after a particularly hot summer's day, mist and dense fog patches were gathering, and the anchor of the craft failed to hold. The skipper called the Coastguard for assistance and the Hoylake Lifeboat, which was on routine exercise, arrived at the scene in a very short space of time. A tow rope was secured and the casualty was towed through the mists to the safety of Mostyn Harbour, arriving there at dead low-water of the tide with just sufficient water to complete the passage before the Lifeboat returned to station.

24/06/2005

Weather: Calm, Visibility Good.

A 25ftYacht from Liverpool Marina found himself in difficulties when his engine failed and he was becalmed on the flood tide. The current was sweeping him towards the shallows of the Jordan's Spit bank. The skipper had been on passage from Preston back to his home port of the Liverpool Marina. Liverpool Coastguard alerted the Hoylake Lifeboat, which sped to his rescue arriving in time to secure a tow with the help of crewman John Henshaw, before the craft ran aground. The tow being secure, the casualty was towed to the safety of the Marina.

21/06/2005

Weather: North West 4, sea moderate, swell 1 metre, visibility good.

The Lifeboat was called to a vessel in difficulty in the Crosby Channel approaching Liverpool. A 53ft ketch had been on passage to Whitehaven in company with another yacht when she suffered steering problems. The crew tried to hold position in the channel with a fairly strong ebb tide flowing. The Westerly wind, however, blew the vessel to the east of the buoyed channel and over the training bank wall where she anchored.

Hoylake Lifeboat under the command of second Coxswain Andrew Dodd, located the casualty, and, having sufficient water on the falling tide, made an approach during which time a tow rope was secured. In choppy seas, caused by the ebb tide over the training wall, the casualty was manoeuvred back to the safety of the deep water channel. The tow was continued to a safe anchorage in the vicinity of tranmere where repairs to the steering gear were affected. The Lifeboat then returned to Station.

19/06/2005

Weather: South Easterly 2, sea calm, visibility good.

Hoylake Lifeboat was called out to a casualty close to, and North of the Hoylake Boathouse, A yacht was proceeding at speed back to the River Mersey when, off course, she struck the top of the East Hoyle bank. The craft grounded with a list of 15 degrees and was believed to have possibly sustained hull damage. The Skipper informed the coastguard of their plight and Hoylake Lifeboat was launched to assist the Yacht.

The Lifeboat reached the casualty in a short space of time and a tow was secured, Soundings were taken and, no leaks being found, the Lifeboat towed the refloated Yacht to the safety of the River Mersey before returning to station.

11/06/2005

Weather: Westerly 1, sea calm, visibility good.

Hoylake crew's were also involved in both the delivery from and the safe return Conway, of a relief Mersey Class Lifeboat "Margaret Jean", which was part of the Mersey River Festival in the Canning Dock. This craft was used by the RNLI in the North West as the platform from which to launch the new  Training Initiative of the institution.

12/06/2005

Weather: West North Westerly. 5-6 Occasionally 7, Sea Moderate, visibility good.

During the Sunday of the Mersey River Festival, both Hoylake and the relief Lifeboat  "Margaret Jean" (Manned by Hoylake crew) were in attendance when New Brighton Lifeboat rescued a sailing vessel which was blown onto the dock wall by strong West North Westerly winds during the Parade of Sail in the River Mersey on the Sunday afternoons tide.

07/05/2005

Weather: Westerly 5 -6 occasionally 7, sea rough, visibility good.

The Lifeboat had launched on exercise to join Lytham Lifeboat on a "Man Overboard" Coastguard operation at the Lennox Platform out in Liverpool Bay. The exercise was called off due to the adverse weather conditions, which prevented the planned operation being valid.

Whilst the Hoylake Lifeboat was in the River Dee, Liverpool Coastguards attention was drawn to the plight of a number of  "Wayfarer" class sailing dinghies, which were visiting Dee Sailing Club for match-race series. Dee officials had wisely called the meeting off due to the adverse weather conditions resulting from the strong westerly wind, However the visiting sailors from Bolton decided to sail anyway and soon  found themselves in difficulty.

A rescue boat was launched from Dee Sailing  Club and Hoylake Lifeboat was called to the scene, the large dinghies were in trouble with several capsizing. and righting them was taking its toll on the crews strength. West Kirby ilb was also called to assist, the craft were all collected and eventually safely beached, one skipper of a boat Hoylake Lifeboat rescued, protested that all was fine, despite the facts that the boats mast had snapped off and that the Hoylake Lifeboat had rescued and taken on board a 10 year old boy crew member suffering from hypothermia.

Once the Inland Sailors were back on dry land, the Lifeboats returned to station.

18/04/2005

Weather: West North West Gale force 8, sea rough, Visibility good.

Hoylake Lifeboat "Lady of Hilbre" was launched shortly after midday into WNW gale force winds following a request from Liverpool Coastguard.

A 22ft angling boat had reported to the Coastguard by VHF radio that they had 2 people overboard, Initial reports gave a confusing position and the Lifeboat made full speed towards the entrance to the Mersey channel, the New Brighton Lifeboat was also launched and proceeded down the channel from its station.

The vessel was located by the C3 channel buoy some distance from Formby Point with 4 people on board, fortunately they had managed to recover the people from the water themselves, the Lifeboats escorted the vessel through some very rough conditions in the Mersey to the safety of the Liverpool landing stage. 2 of the people on board were transferred by ambulance to hospital suffering from the effects of hypothermia, one also had a serious neck injury, with the vessel safely within the sheltered waters of the Mersey estuary awaiting tide for re-entry to Liverpool Marina, the lifeboats returned to their stations having been on service in gale force winds for over five hours.  

10/04/2005

Weather: Westerly Force 8, Sea rough.

Hoylake Lifeboat answered two call-outs on Sunday, 10th April, The first was an early start at 0400Hrs, when Liverpool Coastguard received a "Mayday" distress call from a single handed yachtsman on an overnight passage from Holyhead to Liverpool Yacht Marina, The skipper of the 26ft motor sailor was eight miles west of the bar light vessel when he was experiencing weather conditions somewhat worse than expected.

Wind against tide made for extreme conditions, which were too much for the relatively small craft, and the result was that steering became ineffective when rudder damage was sustained and the skipper sent a "Mayday" cal to Liverpool Coastguard. Hoylake Lifeboat was alerted and launched to the casualty in strong winds and a heavy swell, the disabled was located by the Lifeboats sophisticated detection equipment.

The Coxswain Dave Whiteley skilfully manoeuvred the "Lady of Hilbre" alongside in rough weather  to enable Second Coxswain Andy Dodd, to board the stricken yacht and assist  the tired skipper, a tow rope was secured and the long slow haul was begun to the safety of the River Mersey, The Lifeboat experienced some  difficulty in the relatively shallow waters of the Formby Strait, The tow however was successfully completed and shelter was ensured in the Brunswick Lock before the Lifeboat returned to station.

10/04/2005

Later in the evening of the same day when the weather had moderated the Lifeboat was launched again, this time to the Douglas Oil platform in Liverpool Bay, when a fire alarm was raised and all sixty two persons on board were sent to emergency stations for evacuation, The Lifeboat was recalled whilst on passage to the rig when the emergency was brought under control by the rigs own systems. 

12/2004

Weather: Northerly Force 12, Sea  very rough, Visibility good, Swell 3-4 Metres.

Due to weather conditions Liverpool Coastguard requested Hoylake lifeboat launch to back up Flint Lifeboat who was standing by at Flintshire Bridge, on reaching the launch position Hoylake Lifeboat was requested to return to station..

16/11/2004

Weather: Westerly Force 6, Sea rough, Visibility Good, Swell 1 metre.

A ferry passenger reports a possible suicide after a male passenger had passed his wallet to him, stripped and jumped overboard, Hoylake lifeboat was requested to attend by Liverpool Coastguard, New Brighton Lifeboat were already on scene as was police helicopter Mike1, No casualty was found and the search was call off by the Coastguard.

04/07/2004

Weather: West North West Force 5, Sea moderate, Visibility good, Swell 1 metre.

Received a report from Liverpool Coastguard that a light aircraft had ditched, Hoylake Lifeboat launched to participate in search for aircraft which included New Brighton Lifeboat, County rescue, RAF rescue helicopter 122 and police helicopter Mike1, Mike1 reported seeing a slick, Hoylake Lifeboat proceeded to the position given by Mike1 and the crew reported they could smell aviation fuel, remaining shore crew were dispatched to New Brighton to assist with a beach search to the west, 2 bodies were later recovered by divers and transferred from New Brighton Lifeboat to Hoylake Lifeboat and passed to police on arrival at the lifeboat station. 

22/06/2004

Weather: South Easterly Force 6-7, Visibility poor, Swell 2 metres.

Relief Lifeboat "Margaret Jean" with Hoylake crew on board on passage received a call from Holyhead Coastguard that a survey vessel had an engine failure in Cardigan Bay and requested the Lifeboat to attend, the "Margaret Jean" altered course and towed the vessel towards Fishguard where the Fishguard Lifeboat took the vessel in tow, the "Margaret Jean" proceeded with her passage.

20/06/2004

Weather: Northerly Force 4-6,  Sea rough, Visibility good, Swell 1 metre.

On returning from the Mersey River Festival and a refit the Hoylake Lifeboat was requested by Liverpool Coastguard to attend a 23' motor sailor that had suffered engine failure, vessel was taken in tow and delivered to the safety of Langton Lock.

04/06/2004

Weather: Westerly Force 4, Sea slight, Visibility good, Swell 0.5 metre.

Liverpool Coastguard requested launch to assist New Brighton Lifeboat in towing a MFV (Motor fishing Vessel) that was believed to have a gearbox problem due to the tidal stream strength, New Brighton Lifeboat eventually towed the vessel into Hoylake and Hoylake Lifeboat returned to station.

09/01/2004

Weather: Westerly Force 7, sea rough, Visibility moderate, Swell 2-3 metres.

Liverpool Coastguard requested launch due to vessel have weak radio communications and reduced sail area due to wind speed, vessel located and escorted to safety.

Thanks to John Curry and Kim Jackson for the use of these narratives.