HUMPBACK WHALE FREED
DART/SALCOMBE | 22 MARCH
RNLI crew never quite know what to expect when they’re called out – this time it was an 8m humpback whale trapped
 n fishing gear. The lifeboats helped members from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) get to the whale and untangle her, much to the relief of the fishing boat skipper and everyone else. Pictured here is the moment they freed her, with BDMLR’s David McDonald balanced off the side, held on by RNLI crew and other medics.

2 PULLED FROM ICY WATERS
TOWER | 9 MARCH
A holidaymaker was taking photographs of the Cutty Sark at night, when he leaned against railings and fell into the dark, icy waters of the Thames. The Tower crew got the call at 10.24pm and launched within 60 seconds. The crew found him cold, in shock and clinging to a ledge at Deptford Creek. They pulled him aboard quickly, to the joy of all his family and friends at the scene.

MERCHANT SEAMAN EVACUATED
TYNEMOUTH | 13 JANUARY
The chief engineer of a 160m cargo ship had suffered a suspected heart attack, 4 miles east of Sunderland. In strong winds and big swell, the Tynemouth coxswain skilfully manoeuvred close to the ship, and two lifeboat crew climbed aboard to give first aid. As sea conditions worsened, evacuation by sea was too dangerous. Both the casualty and the two lifeboat crew were winched to safety by the crew of the Coastguard helicopter.

SEA MIST RIDER
PORTHCAWL | 15 MARCH
In a remote part of Kenfig Sands, swathed in sea mist, lifeboat volunteers at Porthcawl helped an injured horse rider. The crew of the D class and Atlantic 85 lifeboats worked together to help the rider with suspected pelvic injuries. As smoothly as possible, they transported the casualty plus a paramedic back to a waiting ambulance at Porthcawl Lifeboat Station.

RODEO RESCUE
FETHARD | 24 FEBRUARY
Fethard volunteer lifeboat crew went to the aid of two bulls that had fallen from cliffs in the Broomhill area. One bull was stranded in a gully with an incoming tide. Crew Member Eoin Bird swam 50m in ‘lively’ conditions to place a halter round its neck. The lifeboat then towed the animal 1 mile to shore, with a crew member holding its head clear of the water. Then they returned to the scene for the second bull.