IT was a busy Easter Sunday for Hoylake Lifeboat volunteers with two call-outs in one day.

The station's hovercraft was first requested to launch by the UK Coastguard at 10.38am to reports of a small fishing boat aground in the River Dee off Bagillt in North Wales. A person had been spotted waist-deep in water nearby.

Flint Coastguard Rescue Team officers were on scene and had located the boat from the shore, but there was no sign of anyone in the water.

After searching the shoreline, the person was spotted navigating the sandbanks and mudflats of the Dee Estuary apparently heading towards Neston on the Wirral.

With the tide approaching low water, Hoylake’s Inshore Rescue Hovercraft Hurley Spirit crossed the estuary and headed to the casualty’s location. He was now making his way back towards the Welsh coast.

The hovercraft met the casualty and the RNLI crew spoke to him to check he was okay.

The casualty had run aground unintentionally and was happy to remain with his vessel until it re-floated on the next tide.

Satisfied that the casualty required no further assistance, the hovercraft was stood down and returned to station.

The hovercraft was requested for launch by the Coastguard, again at 3.15pm to assist with a police incident in the Runcorn area of the River Mersey.

The hovercraft and her volunteer crew launched again and headed to the scene.

En route, it was also reported that a person was stuck in the mud at New Ferry. With the weather becoming increasingly challenging for the hovercraft to proceed, it was agreed that the hovercraft could be stood down and the incidents were safely resolved by other emergency services in attendance.

Hoylake RNLI volunteer hovercraft commander Howie Owen said: "If you're heading out on the water and get into any difficulty, always call the Coastguard on 999 or VHF Channel 16.

"By letting them know your situation, they can decide if any emergency services should be tasked and manage any further calls of concern. 

"Always check the weather and tide times for your location. Ensure you and all on board are wearing a properly-fitted lifejacket and that you are carrying appropriate safety equipment.

"Check that all machinery is in good working order and carry a means of calling for help."