THE York Rescue Boat team has celebrated its first day of operations, during one of the city’s biggest events of the year.

The charity patrolled the River Ouse on Saturday as thousands of people lined the city’s streets and Ouse Bridge to watch the riders of the Tour de Yorkshire.

As well as a crew of specially-trained volunteers taking to the water from Queen Staith, members of the charity walked the river’s banks throughout the day, both to monitor public safety, but also to raise awareness of the organisation.

Founder Dave Benson said the public response to the team had been very positive, and the relationship with other services was also working well.

He said: “Our first operational shift on Saturday went very well, and being able to work alongside North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service allowed my team to start establishing a professional relationship with them, and the FRS were extremely accommodating towards us.”

The charity was founded just over a year ago following a number of deaths in York’s rivers, including Megan Roberts, Ben Clarkson, and Tyler Pearson.

Since January 2014, the team and their fundraisers have grown, gaining thousands of pounds in donations, grants and sponsorship, and now have their own liveried Land Rover as well as the boat itself.

The team’s next official duty will take place during York Races on May 13, when thousands of visitors are expected to the city for three days of celebrations, and Dave said the charity was now working more closely with City of York Council and other organisations on river safety in the area.

He said: “With our recent successful grant award from the Whitwam Family Charitable Foundation we can purchase more team equipment, search and rescue gear, and improve our infrastructure.

“We have recently been invited to join City of York Council’s River Safety Task Group, which is very important for us as an organisation, and we look forward to working with the other agencies to maintain safety on and around the rivers in York.”