Calling the Crew
These days . . . . .

HM Coastguard usually requests the launch of the lifeboats by paging the Lifeboat Operations Manager or one of his deputies. The operations manager will call HM Coastguard and ask for the details of the incident, he will then page the crew. The pagers display messages which alert the crew as to which of the lifeboats is required to launch. This would be in the form 'Launch ALB', 'Launch ILB' or 'Launch Both Boats'.
Calling the Crew
In the days before pagers . . . .

2 Maroons were fired to alert the crew. A Maroon is as an audible and visual alarm or warning signal. The payload explodes with a bright flash and a loud bang. They are still fired now as a back up to the paging system. They are also used to advise the casualty that help is on its way. The crew fire the maroons from a special launcher on the beach.
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