Six emergency and rescue organisations will gather under one roof in Hull this May half-term as the popular H2O Heroes event returns to The Deep for a fourth consecutive year.

Running from 23rd to 31st May, the festival brings together the largest partnership of rescue services the aquarium has ever hosted, combining hands-on family activities with potentially life-saving guidance ahead of the summer season.

This year's line-up features the RNLI, HM Coastguard, Humber Rescue and Humberside Police Marine Protect Unit, joined for the first time by Hornsea Inshore Rescue and Humberside Fire & Rescue Service. Visitors will be able to meet crew members face to face, explore boats and outdoor vehicle displays, try on rescue kit, take part in hands-on activities and attend daily presentations from the teams behind the call-outs.

The festival is positioned as much a careers showcase as a safety drive, offering younger visitors a rare chance to hear directly from frontline responders — many of them volunteers — about the work that goes on both at sea and behind the scenes.

A message ahead of the summer rush

John Andrews, Head of Operations and Guides at The Deep, said the partnership had become a fixture in the visitor calendar.

"We're pleased to be partnering once again with these amazing rescue organisations, working collectively to spread an important message ahead of the busy summer holiday period about water safety to such a large audience," he said. "H2O Heroes wouldn't be possible without the support of our amazing rescue organisations, and we are immensely grateful to all for dedicating their time towards what is shaping up to be a hugely exciting event for visitors."

For the RNLI, the appeal lies in reaching families in a setting where safety messages are absorbed almost incidentally. Liam Fayle-Parr, Water Safety Delivery Support at the charity, said the team was looking forward to sharing "simple, lifesaving messages — like how floating on your back can help if you find yourself in difficulty in the water and the importance of calling 999 and asking for the Coastguard if someone is in trouble."

"It's also a great opportunity for people to have fun, dress up as lifeboat crew and learn about water safety in an engaging, memorable way," he added.

The hidden dangers of inland and coastal water

The Humber region's mix of estuary, coastline and inland waterways makes water safety a year-round concern for emergency services. Sarah Wilkinson, Head of Prevention at Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, said the event offered a vital platform for raising awareness of risks that can catch out even confident swimmers.

"Across the Humber region we have a lot of natural and man-made areas of water, and it's essential that we continue to raise awareness of the dangers of being in or around water to prevent accidental drownings," she said. "Even the strongest swimmers can be endangered by the unseen hazards and cold-water shock. It's crucial that people know what to do in an emergency, including 'Floating To Live', and calling for help rather than attempting a risky rescue themselves."

Yusef Forster, Head of Public Engagement at Humber Rescue — an independent lifeboat charity operating across the Humber Estuary and surrounding waterways — echoed the point. "We see first-hand how quickly situations around water can change," he said. "If even one person leaves The Deep knowing what to do in an emergency, or how to stay safer around water, then the event has made a real difference."

Newcomers and returning partners

Hornsea Inshore Rescue, one of two organisations joining the festival for the first time, said the invitation was a source of considerable pride. Station Manager Sue Hickson-Marsay said: "We are incredibly proud to have been invited to this event along with many other emergency services. Water safety is a very important subject and it's paramount we get the message out there to the general public — no better way than adding an element of fun."

Sergeant David Barrass of the Humberside Police Marine Protect Unit, a returning partner, said the festival illustrated the breadth of co-operation between services. "It's a fantastic opportunity to show how all our emergency services work together to keep our communities safe around water," he said.

Visitor information
H2O Heroes runs daily at The Deep from 23rd to 31st May and is included with standard admission. Activities, presentations and outdoor displays will run throughout the day, with families encouraged to allow extra time to take in the rescue vehicles and boats stationed outside the aquarium.

The best part? This event is entirely included in standard admission; no additional booking is required! Every paid ticket to The Deep is an Annual Pass.

Pre-booking a visit is highly recommended over the May half-term holidays.