At least two teams from York Rescue Boat were out on Saturday as the flood water in York was approaching its worst.
Their website describes them: "York Rescue Boat is an independent search and rescue charity, based in York, North Yorkshire.
Founded in 2014 after a series of deaths in the city’s rivers, York Rescue Boat has grown from humble beginnings raising money out of the back of a car, to a highly trained and capable team becoming renowned for its work both in York and further afield.
Our work centres around the Rivers Ouse and Foss in York. Uniquely we work to make the city safer by carrying out combined patrols by boat and on foot at high risk times every weekend throughout the year as opposed to just responding to emergency calls. We also cover other times as requested by North Yorkshire Police or other agencies."
Some media outlets used a shot of them to suggest that they were taking part in dramatic rescues etc, but the truth is rather more mundane. They were carrying out training exercises "looking at shallow water operations, reading flood water hydrology and fine boat control". Obviously they would have been immediately available to help with an emergency if one had arisen.
I will show you tomorrow what the other team were doing, and I think you will feel that this team had it easy compared with the other team.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
As always it was interesting to see the York Rescue Boat at work. They are a remarkable voluntary organisation. There origins followed several deaths in Yorks rivers, and the need to help those who find themselves at risk in the river. Relatives of some of those who had drowned were amongst those who undertook fundraising to support the York Rescue Boat and provide equipment for them.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
As always it was interesting to see the York Rescue Boat at work. They are a remarkable voluntary organisation. There origins followed several deaths in Yorks rivers, and the need to help those who find themselves at risk in the river. Relatives of some of those who had drowned were amongst those who undertook fundraising to support the York Rescue Boat and provide equipment for them.
Ian
Always good to know these people are there when needed. A great organisation!
Ian