Wightlink supports WightSAR volunteers who help track down vulnerable missing people

Wightlink is supporting Wight Search and Rescue (WightSAR) by providing assisted travel to help the group with its lifesaving work in the coming year.

Relying entirely on donations, WightSAR provides skilled volunteers to aid Hampshire Police, HM Coastguard, the RNLI and the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service in searching for vulnerable missing persons on the Island.

All volunteers must undergo essential training before they can joinin searches and the cost of this has previously been a barrier to recruiting new members.

During lockdown, Wightlink assisted trainers to cross the Solent. That helped 12 volunteers to gain the necessary skills to become part of search operations.

Now the ferry company has agreed to help WightSAR continue its training and recruitment activity by offering supported travel for the coming year.

WightSAR founder and chairman Dean Terrett says: “Training is so crucial to the service we provide and getting this boost will really help us to help others.

“Having this continued support from Wightlink will help us no end in providing a programme of training to help recruit new members and to enable our team of volunteers to gain new skills.”

Stuart James, Marketing and Innovation Director from Wightlink, adds: “Everyone knows the important role WightSAR volunteers play in support of the emergency services and we are delighted to help them build upon their essential work.”

To learn more about WightSAR and its work, see: https://www.wightsar.org/

Picture caption: Wight SAR search team leaders  Jenny Johnston and Elbie Todd with Wightlink’s Island Ports Operation Manager Martin Gulliver 

For more information, please contact:

Duty Media Officer

• 07870 906 189

• [email protected]