On the Water with Merseyside Fire & Rescue

The Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service Marine Rescue Unit maintains a continuous 24-hour a day, 365 days a year service for all river users in its area which includes 60 miles of coastline.

Their current boat was brought into Service in 2008 and is capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots.

The boat is kept permanently on the water and is continually manned.

Since its first year of operation in 1984, the Service has attended over 4,500 incidents and has assisted nearly 3,500 people.

Many of the crew are in receipt of multiple Resuscitation Awards from the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society.

The unit which is based at the Pier Head in Liverpool invited MVS Port of Manchester to look around their facility much to the delight of HoU Ian Hopkinson who spends much of his time powerboat instructing on the Mersey.

The highlight of the day for the MVS members was a run out on the boat with its twin inboard Volvo Diesel engines powering a twin jet drive.

The hospitality of the Watch manager, Steve Barrowman and his team members was also outstanding and they make a great cup of tea!

Steve said, ‘I am fully aware of the MVS because of their presence on the Mersey.

It was great to learn more of what they do and it was great to meet the Manchester Unit and show them what we do when we are needed’.

MVS Port of Manchester