Since the York Rescue Boat team became operational in 2015 their volunteers have directly saved 24 lives and provided assistance to over 250 people.
York Rescue Boat is there for you on and around the Rivers Ouse and Foss with a key part of the work involving preventative search and rescue patrols on Friday and Saturday nights.
The team are also on call 24/7 to assist both the police and fire service at water-based emergencies around York. This includes reports of people in the water, concerns for safety and searching for missing persons.
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During the 2020 Covid pandemic they saw a 150% increase in the number of call-outs volunteers are tasked to attend whilst fundraising has proved extremely challenging.
They have recently taken on another 15 volunteers to join the operational team and they are now fundraising towards the cost of equipping and training these volunteers.
It’s approximately £350 to train and equip each volunteer, this includes their uniform, waterproof jacket, hi-viz safety vest, rescue throwlines and first aid equipment.
Training involves teaching about land-based searches, water rescue, first aid, mental health and crisis intervention.
All members are volunteers with no one receiving any payment or expenses.
Any donations will go directly to keep the team saving lives in and around York