IF YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY ON THE BEACH OR IN THE WATER REMEMBER TO RING 999 AND ASK FOR THE COASTGUARD
Our Policy....
Duddon Inshore Rescue is a voluntary organisation with professional aspirations providing a 24 hour on-call service. Dedicated to fostering the safety of individuals by providing and maintaining an effective search and rescue operation for assistance to anyone or anything in peril from the sea in the area of the Duddon estuary and Walney waters in the County of Cumbria. We aim to work closely with the local community and welcome volunteers from all backgrounds.
background
The Duddon estuary is tidal, with dangerous currents and undertows: an area which can be treacherous, as can be proved by the many fatal accidents and near miss incidents over the years. The estuary sands are ever changing due to the strong tides and currents meaning channels and gullies change depth and location on a regular basis. This means even locals familiar with the estuary can find themselves in dangerous situations. The following time lapse video highlights the danger of the tides and how it can easily cut people off leaving them stranded on the sandbars.
Following the drowning of a number of local people in the estuary during 1969, a public meeting was held in Askam-in-Furness, Cumbria in November of that year, when the decision was taken to start a rescue service which could be efficient and well formed. Its area of operation would cover the Duddon estuary; Roanhead sand dunes and nature reserve and the North end of Walney island.
Since the inception of Duddon Inshore Rescue we have been involved in over 400 incidents on or around the treacherous waters of the Duddon estuary. Some of these have been frustrating, others mundane; some heart-warming, where lives have been saved; others tragic where, in spite of the best efforts of all concerned, life has been lost.
