Morecambe Bay cockling disaster 15 years on: Lost lives remain "great regret" for lifeboat volunteers

The Chinese cocklers who died in Morecambe Bay. Photo by Lancashire Police.

On the anniversary of the tragedy, Morecambe RNLI volunteers have revealed that the deaths of those they could not save remains a "source of deep regret".

Morecambe's lifeboat crew said that the anniversary of the disaster should serve as a solemn reminder of the continuing dangers posed by the Bay's treacherous tide and mudflats.

In an online tribute to those who died, the Morecambe Lifeboat crew said the search for the 23 Chinese cockle pickers on the evening of February 5, 2004, was one of the "most distressing and demanding" rescue missions in their history.

The immigrant labourers drowned after being cut off by an incoming tide around 9.30pm after picking cockles off the Lancashire coast.

"The search for the 23 Chinese cockle pickers in Morecambe Bay was one of the most distressing and demanding that any of our volunteers have ever had to take part in", said the team.

"And it is still felt today, even though only a handful of the present crew were involved at the time."

Fifteen years ago, volunteer RNLI crews boarded the Morecambe inshore rescue hovercraft and D-class inshore lifeboat and spent nearly 24 hours searching for and recovering casualties.

The treacherous mudflats of Morecambe Bay.

The team added: "RNLI volunteers train hard to deal with every sort of rescue incident but nothing could have prepared them for that night and the awful tragedy they witnessed.

"That they were unable to save those who lost their lives remains a source of great regret.

"As on every anniversary of this terrible incident, our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who were lost that night."

But the volunteers said they also regret that the 2004 cockling disaster has not prevented people from venturing out into the Bay, which is notorious for its quicksand and fast moving tides.

"Disappointingly, in spite of all the publicity the tragedy received at the time, and for numerous other incidents since, many people still seem unaware that Morecambe Bay can be a treacherous place", said the Morecambe RNLI team.

Morecambe RNLI said its volunteers were tasked to go to the aid of people who had got into difficulty at least once a week in 2018.