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Hartlepool RNLI lifeboats search River Tees

Lifeboats News Release

Hartlepool RNLI volunteers were paged at 11.45am on Friday 14 November by Humber Coastguard to assist emergency services with a search of the River Tees downstream of the Tees Barrage following reports of a person in the river.

Both the inshore and all-weather boats launched at 11.05am to the Tees Barrage area where a search took place.

With nothing found the volunteer crews were later stood down by Humber Coastguard and returned safely to the Ferry Road lifeboat station at 12.55pm where the boats were refuelled and made ready for service.

Hartlepool RNLI crew member, Matt Blanchard, said: 'Conditions were really bad heading across to the River Tees with 4-5 metre waves and when we were heading up the river we had to be aware of large branches and debris that were being swept past us due to the flood conditions. This was one of those occasions where our training really helped.'

RNLI Media Contacts

Hartlepool RNLI volunteer press officer Tom Collins email: [email protected]

Clare Hopps (RNLI Regional Communications Manager, North East and East): [email protected] Tel:07824 518641


RNLI/Tom Collins

Hartlepool RNLI inshore lifeboat 'Solihull' and volunteer crewmembers pictured during the search on the River Tees.
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RNLI/Tom Collins

Hartlepool RNLI inshore lifeboat 'Solihull' and volunteer crewmembers pictured during the search on the River Tees.
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RNLI/Tom Collins

Hartlepool RNLI inshore lifeboat 'Solihull' and all weather lifeboat 'John Sharp' with volunteer crewmembers pictured during the search on the River Tees.
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Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

About the author

Tom Collins
Lifeboat Press Officer, Hartlepool Lifeboat Station

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