Barrow Lifeboat Joins Late Night Search After Distress Beacon Activation
Barrow RNLI crews were called into action during a late night search after an emergency distress beacon was activated off the Fleetwood coast, prompting a coordinated response involving lifeboats and a Coastguard helicopter.
The incident began when HM Coastguard in Holyhead requested assistance after an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon, known as an EPIRB, was activated at sea. The initial signal placed the beacon near King's Scar, more than a mile and a half from the Fleetwood coastline.
Barrow RNLI launched its all weather lifeboat, Grace Dixon, at 11.09pm to assist with the search. The volunteer crew had only recently returned home after taking part in an evening exercise when they were alerted and asked to respond to the emergency.
The Barrow lifeboat crew was led by coxswain Jonny Long, who was supported by six other volunteers. HM Coastguard was advised that the lifeboat would take approximately 30 minutes to reach the area where the beacon had initially been detected.
Fleetwood RNLI was also tasked with the search after the distress signal was received. Its inshore lifeboat reached the area around King's Scar but initially found no sign of the beacon at the location indicated by the first transmission.
A subsequent signal from the beacon indicated that it had moved eastwards from its original position. The changing location meant the rescue teams had to adjust their search area as they attempted to establish where the device was drifting.
The Barrow lifeboat began searching from the mouth of the River Wyre and continued eastwards towards Pilling Sands. Crew members worked to identify the beacon while coordinating with the other rescue resources involved in the operation.
The search was later supported by a Coastguard helicopter, which arrived in the area and was able to track the distress signal more precisely. The aircraft followed the signal towards the River Wyre as the search moved further inland from the original offshore position.
The helicopter eventually tracked the beacon to a location just east of the entrance channel into Fleetwood Docks. This information enabled the Fleetwood lifeboat to head directly towards the updated position and continue the recovery operation.
Fleetwood's crew subsequently located and recovered the distress beacon. The successful recovery brought the search to a conclusion and allowed the other rescue resources involved in the operation to begin standing down.
The Barrow lifeboat was stood down shortly after midnight after its involvement in the search had ended. The crew then returned to the lifeboat station following the late night operation.
Once back at the boathouse, the Grace Dixon was made ready for its next launch. The preparation ensured the lifeboat could respond again if another emergency call was received.
The incident required coordination between HM Coastguard, Barrow RNLI, Fleetwood RNLI and the Coastguard helicopter. The changing position of the beacon demonstrated the importance of continued tracking and communication during searches for devices that may be drifting with the tide or currents.
The operation ended without a reported casualty being located, with the distress beacon itself ultimately recovered from the River Wyre area. The Barrow crew was able to return safely to its station after completing its part in the search.
The response also highlighted the readiness required from volunteer lifeboat crews, who were called from home shortly after completing an evening training exercise. Despite the late hour, the Barrow team was able to launch the Grace Dixon and travel towards the reported position.
The successful recovery of the beacon brought the late night operation to an end and allowed all involved rescue teams to return from the search. The Barrow lifeboat was subsequently prepared for further emergency service should it be required.
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