Volunteer lifeboat crews from Peel and Ramsey stations conducted an unprecedented joint training exercise over the weekend.
Peel’s Shannon-class lifeboat, Frank and Brenda Winter, made the passage north to Ramsey, undertaking navigation drills en route.
The crews then performed coordinated towing exercises with Ramsey’s Shannon-class vessel, Ann and James Ritchie II, a manoeuvre essential for safety.
The exercise culminated in a significant first for the Peel crew: beaching their lifeboat at Ramsey for a launch and recovery practice.
A spokesperson said: “In Peel we launch and recover from a steep concrete slipway into a busy fishing harbour. Consequently, this was the first time Peel’s lifeboat and crew had experienced recovery on a broad and expansive beach.”
They added “We are grateful to our colleagues from Ramsey who were generous with their time, for showing us how their beach recovery is done. A marvellous example of ‘One Crew’ working together!”