Workington Lifeboat

03/06/2026

Everyone welcome to Silloth Green to celebrate Emergancy Service Day! Come along and speak to the many brave volunteers who will be attending. Maybe you might be inspired to give some time and volunteer for one of the emergency services ⚓️🚓🚒🚑🚁🏍

01/06/2026

While Workington Lifeboat was preparing for a joint exercise with the Coastguard helicopter team based in Carlisle, RWE Offshore team and Belfast Coastguard, a Mayday call came in.
At around 8.55am yesterday, Sunday May 31, it was reported that three people were in difficulty on a vessel that was taking on water.
Workington RNLI's all-weather lifeboat Dorothy May White was tasked to attend.
The vessel was reported to be two miles east of the Isle of Whithorn on the Scottish side of the Solway Firth.
The passage was approximately one hour from Workington lifeboat station.
A vessel in the location was also tasked by Belfast Coastguard to attend the casualty vessel.
This vessel safely recovered the three people from the casualty vessel, which subsequently sank.
The Dorothy May White was stood down at 9.20am and proceeded to join up with the planned exercise.

30/05/2026

Sunday 31st May Workington Lifeboats will be holding a joint exercise with RWE Robin Rigg Windfarm and Support Boats, HM Coastguard, HM CG Helecopter (operatinal dependant) and Both Workington Lifeboat

20/05/2026

RNLI Float to Live campaign
If you find yourself in difficulty in the water, Float to Live.
• Tilt your head back with your ears submerged
• Relax and try to breathe normally
• Move your hands and feet to help you stay afloat
• It’s fine if your legs sink, we all float differently
• Practise floating in a local pool if you can

20/05/2026

Workington RNLI was called out yesterday to help a pleasure craft that had run aground on the rock armour at the entrance to Harrington Harbour.
We launched our all-weather lifeboat Dorothy May White and our inshore lifeboat James R Allan at 2.40pm.
Both boats arrived on scene, assessed the situation and with our colleagues from Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team rescued the casualties.
One had injured his foot and was passed into the care of the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust
This type of incident goes to show the importance of wearing a lifejacket, having the means to call for assistance (VHF or mobile phone) and calling as early as possible for assistance. It also shows the importance of a multiagency response, with Coastguard Rescue Teams and Lifeboat crews working seamlessly together.

15/05/2026

Workington RNLI's volunteer crew was called out by Belfast Coastguard today, Friday May 15.
The crew launched its all weather lifeboat Dorothy May White at 10.45am.
A 25ft fishing boat, with two people on board, had suffered mechanical failure and was drifting on the ebbing tide towards the rocks at Harrington.
The lifeboat launched at 11am and arrived on scene at 11.10am.
An assessment was undertaken by the crew and due to safety concerns, the decision was taken to tow the stricken vessel in to Harrington harbour.
The vessel was secured in the harbour and the lifeboat returned to station, arriving 11.40am where she was made ready for service. Photo By Dave Crabman

06/05/2026

Workington RNLI was called out yesterday, Tuesday May 5, at 4.30pm to help a 31ft yacht in distress 2 miles off Whitehaven.
The vessel had lost both sail and mechanical power and was drifting on the ebbing tide towards the rocks at St Bees Head.
A Royal Air Force Maritime Patrol aircraft was in the immediate area and picked up the call. They offered assistance in providing vital overwatch from above.
Workington RNLI's all weather lifeboat Dorothy May White was launched and made good speed to rendezvous with the casualty vessel.
On scene the crew undertook a risk assessment and concluded to take the casualty vessel in tow and headed towards Whitehaven harbour where they were met by members of Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team
With each asset contributing a vital part to the operation, the teams:
✔️ Assessed the situation
✔️ Made the vessel and crew safe
✔️ Took the yacht under tow back to Whitehaven Marina
The casualty vessel was moored in Whitehaven Marina and Workington lifeboat left the scene, returned to station and made ready.

05/05/2026

Workington RNLI was called out yesterday, Monday May 4 at 6.40pm to help search for a missing person.
The volunteer crew launched the all-weather lifeboat the Dorothy May White and inshore lifeboat James R Allen.
We assisted Cumbria Police and Coastguard teams in the search.
The lifeboats undertook a shoreline search between Harrington and Maryport.
At 8.50pm, the police informed Belfast Coastguard that the missing person had been found safe and well and both boats were stood down, returned to station and made ready. This was a false alarm with good intent.
📷Phil Waldren (taken while on exercise on Sunday)

16/04/2026

31/03/2026

New registration requirements for Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) will come into force on 15 April 2026.

From this date, all current and new PLBs carried on board UK-flagged vessels, hovercraft and mechanically propelled watercraft must be registered. This requirement also applies when a PLB is discarded or changes ownership, and updated details must be provided.

These requirements bring PLBs in line with the registration rules that have applied to Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) for the past 26 years.

UK Distress & Security Beacon Registry Manager Linda Goulding said: “The benefit of registering your PLB is simple: it gives yourself – and everyone you’re with – a headstart to being rescued from an emergency.

“The registration process is free, takes just 15 minutes, and could make the difference between life and death. You can do it at no cost online in time for the deadline of 15 April.

“HM Coastguard will react to every beacon alert we receive. Registering your PLB helps us quickly work out when it’s a false alarm with no one in danger; or to focus our resources when people in real distress and need our help. Help us to help you.”