The need for a rescue service on the River Humber that was available round the clock became increasingly apparent, especially following the withdrawal of the Pilot Launch from Hull where it had been available for incidents on the river on a twenty-four hour basis.
An appeal organised by Radio Humberside and the Hull Daily Mail in 1989 raised sufficient funds to purchase a boat, trailer and launching vehicle and Humber Rescue was launched in April 1990.
SAVING LIVES
The first incident was attended two days after the boat was delivered and in the first nine months, 27 incidents were attended. By June 2006 a total of 1000 incidents had been attended. 2005 has been our busiest year on record with a 106 call outs, followed by 105 call outs in 2006.
TRAINING
Our volunteer crew members come from all walks of life and readily exchange leisure, comfort and sleep for cold, wet and fatigue. Training is vital as it turns our volunteers into lifesavers. Every year Humber Rescue delivers consistent, high quality training to all it’s crew members.
THE BOATHOUSE
Initially the boat was kept in founder crewmembers garden and towed to the river by Land Rover, but in 1995 the boat was transferred to its current home in the purpose built boathouse, located close to the foot of the North Tower of the Humber Bridge.
The boathouse was officially opened in 1998 by round the world yachtsman Tony Bullimore. The proximity of the boathouse to the river allows for rapid launching and in an emergency the boat can be launched within seven minutes of the initial alert being received.