A multiagency response was initiated to enable a largescale shoreline and waterborne search to be conducted on Ullswater earlier today (Monday 23rd October).
The multi agency search got underway after the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre Belfast Coastguard, received a call reporting an overdue swimmer in the area of Glencoyne Bay Ullswater. emergency services and local vessels were involved in the search including Belfast Coastguard, Cumbria Police, Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service, Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team, Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team, Maryport Coastguard Rescue Team, Burgh-by-Sands Coastguard Rescue Team, Arnside & South Lakes Coastguard Rescue Team, North West Ambulance Service, Ullswater Steamers and The Outward Bound Trust Ullswater.
HM Coastguard are responsible for the initiation and coordination of civil maritime search and rescue within the UK search and rescue region. This includes the mobilisation, organisation and tasking of adequate resources to respond to persons either in distress at sea, or to persons at risk of injury or death on the cliffs or shoreline of the UK as well as some inland waters includes Derwentwater, Ullswater, Coniston and Windermere.
With coastguard officers from the area soon on scene after the call to assist with the efforts, a multiagency plan was initiated. Coastguard Helicopter assets were requested, whilst waterborne searches were conducted by boats from Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team, Ullswater Steamers and The Outward Bound Trust Ullswater, with land search team assets mustering to commence shoreline searches.
With a cloud inversion covering the lake with a dense mist, searching was difficult for the search teams. The swimmer was eventually located on a small island in the lake, after a paddle boarder heard shouts for help and went to investigate.
The casualty, having got disorientated due to the mist on the lake, had managed to take refuge on one of the small islands. They were then safely brought ashore by the waterborne assets and handed over into the care of North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust for assessment.
A spokesperson for Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team said “This is a great example demonstrating the importance of leaving details of a planned route and return time with friends or family before taking to the water, as well as those loved ones swiftly raising the alarm to the emergency services if they have failed to return at their planned time. Furthermore this is also a fantastic demonstration of how effective multiagency working across all of the emergency services, to mobilise and coordinate a variety of appropriate assets, gives the best possible chance of a positive outcome.”
Photo:Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team.
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