Your guide to what's been going on in the world of the RNLI

NEW LIFEGUARD AND SWIM SAFE LOCATIONS FOR A SAFER SUMMER

RNLI lifeguards will patrol eight new beaches this summer, including Camber Sands. The beach made headlines in 2016 after the tragic deaths of six people in July and August. After Rother District Council reviewed local lifeguard provision, Camber Sands East, West and
Bexhill will have RNLI patrols to help keep beachgoers safe. RNLI lifeguards are also new to Runswick Bay (Scarborough),
Leasowe Bay (Wirral) and Pelham East, Pelham West and Marina St Leonards (Hastings). There are now more than 240 RNLI lifeguarded beaches in the UK and Channel Islands. Find one near you at RNLI.org/beaches. Swim Safe – free open water swimming and safety sessions for children aged 7–14 – is also back and bigger than ever this summer. In partnership with Swim England, we’ll
be expanding to several new sites, both coastal and inland. See the full list of locations and book your child’s place at SwimSafe.org.uk.

HELLENIC HANDOVER

Last year, we reported on our training and mentorship of the Hellenic Rescue Team (HRT) on Lesbos, Greece. Overwhelmed by the refugee crisis in the Aegean, the volunteers desperately needed better training and equipment. On 25 February, our Chief Executive
Paul Boissier officially handed over two Atlantic 75 lifeboats to the HRT, who were then declared fully operational to the Hellenic Coast Guard. The team are now ready to rescue anyone who needs their help – whether that’s local fishermen, tourists or refugees.
‘I was incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved in such a short space of time,’ says RNLI Trainer Alex Evans. ‘The whole community turned out to celebrate, from heads of the Hellenic Coast Guard to the British Ambassador.’

Our thoughts are with the Irish Coast Guard

On 14 March, the search and rescue community was rocked when Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116 came down off the Mayo coast. Captains Dara Fitzpatrick and Mark Duffy were heading to refuel with Winchmen Paul Ormsby and Ciarán Smith, when radio contact was lost. Lifeboat stations across the RNLI lowered their flags as a mark of respect. Dara and Mark have now been aid to rest, while lifeboat crews from

FIGHT YOUR INSTINCTS, NOT THE WATER

As temperatures soared on 25 May, we re-launched our safety campaign Respect the Water, now in its fourth year. Around 190 people
accidentally die at the British and Irish coasts every year. About half of them never planned to enter the water in the first place. So this summer we’re encouraging everyone to fight their instinct to swim instantly if they fall in. Instead, remember one core survival skill – floating, until the effects of cold water shock pass and you can catch your breath, before then trying to swim to safety or call for help. Discover more, including vital safety skills, at RespectTheWater.com.

MAYDAY

From West End STOMPers (pictured) to Edinburgh pipers, RNLI supporters have been doing their bit to fund our kit. However you got involved – thank you. We’ll update you with our Mayday fundraising total in the next edition.

DUNKIRK

This summer the film Dunkirk remembers one of the most courageous rescues of the Second World War. It tells the story of Operation
Dynamo, a daring plan to rescue 300,000 Allied troops who faced obliteration by German forces. Among the armada of little ships
sent to help were 19 RNLI lifeboats. Only Ramsgate and Margate lifeboats were manned by RNLI crews – together they saved 3,400 lives. We’ll be exploring their stories ahead of the film’s release on 21 July. Find out more at RNLI.org/dunkirk.