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Campaign to cut number of lifeboat call-outs
Lifeboat volunteers are launching a high-profile safety campaign in a bid to cut the number of unnecessary call-outs.
Sunderland's Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station today started the six-month drive which features regular radio adverts highlighting potential dangers to coastal walkers and urging boat-users to check engines and safety equipment.
Paul Nicholson, senior helmsman at Sunderland RNLI, said the aim of the campaign was to raise the public's awareness of the common preventable causes for lifeboat launches.
"One of the adverts is aimed at boat owners and the other is aimed at people who take part in activities along the coastline such as coastal walking," he said.
"As boat-users around the coast are getting ready to launch for the first time this year, the RNLI is reminding anyone going afloat to make sure they're safe this boating season.
"After the long cold winter, the charity that saves lives at sea is asking boaters to give their craft, engines and safety equipment a thorough inspection before their maiden voyage of 2010.
The RNLI offers a range of sea safety advice and free sea shecks to leisure craft users.
Alan Dixon, Sunderland RNLI sea safety officer, said that being on a vessel which has suffered a mechanical failure could be a stressful experience and recommended that owners should service the engine and carry spares.
"Accidents can happen to anyone, no matter how experienced, so make sure you have a means of calling for help and ensure your lifejacket and its gas bottles are in good condition," he said.
"Fundamentally, the aim of a sea check is to save lives by getting people to recognise the risks involved in going afloat and take responsibility for their own safety.
"We believe that 'prevention is better than cure' and we want to make sure that everyone gets the right advice. So the whole service, even the phone call to book a sea check, is free."
Sunderland's RNLI volunteers were called out a record 101 times last year, helping 93 people, plus a further 13 times during the first three months of 2010 .
RNLI booklet Sea Safety – The Complete Guide can be viewed at www.rnli.org.uk/complete_guide and free SEA Checks, which cover boat equipment advice and emergency procedures, can be booked on 0800 328 0600 at www.rnli.org.uk/seacheck.
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Weather for Sunderland
Wednesday 08 February 2012
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