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Craster RNLI lifeboat tasked to locate and assist an inflatable kayak

Lifeboats News Release

At 2:08pm on 12 August 2026, the volunteer crew of Craster RNLI lifeboat were paged.

Craster lifeboat at sea with three volunteer crew aboard

RNLI/Andrew Cowan

Craster lifeboat stock image
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HM Coastguard had received information that an inflatable kayak with two people aboard could potentially be in difficulty approximately one mile south of Craster Harbour, in a strong flooding spring tide, a growing swell and a southerly wind.

At 2:15pm, the charity's D class lifeboat D-839 James Ballard was launched.
Making best speed south, the three-person lifeboat crew commenced a shoreline search.

Valuable information was received from members of the public and fishermen on the rocks, who reported seeing a kayak with two people aboard further south.

As the D class lifeboat neared The Bathing House at Howick, a kayak and two people could be seen on Howick Sands beach behind Rumbling Kern.

Andy, Volunteer Helm, used his local knowledge and navigated the lifeboat through the shallow channel and waves towards the beach, and contact was made with the kayakers at 2:32 pm.

The crew established the kayakers' recent movements and confirmed that they had been in the position initially reported. They were well prepared, wearing lifejackets and carrying a means of calling for help should they have found themselves in danger.

Howick Coastguard Rescue Team was tasked to the scene. It was agreed with the lifeboat crew that the lifeboat would conduct a further shoreline search to the south to ensure that the kayakers located were those originally reported and that nobody else was in danger.

RNLI Volunteer Helm Andy said: 'The weather, wind and tide can appear fine from the shore, but once you are out of the shelter of the land it can be a very different situation. Today we had a 5.3-metre spring tide. As the tide rises, it floods south and, combined with a south-westerly wind, this creates
wind-over-tide conditions that can become challenging. It was great to see the kayakers in good spirits.'

This was a great example of the awareness and vigilance of members of the public. The kayakers could have been in difficulty. On this occasion it was a false alarm with good intent, but the outcome could quite easily have been different, if you see someone in danger at sea or by the coast, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. If you do suspect someone is in trouble, please report it. An emergency response can always be stood down if no one is in danger.

If you are going to the coast this summer, always take a means of calling for help, wear a suitable personal flotation device (PFD) and tell someone your plans. If you do get into difficulty, follow the RNLI's advice:

Float to Live

If you get into trouble in the water, float. Tilt your head back with your ears submerged, try to relax and breathe normally

Gently move your hands and legs if you need to help yourself stay afloat, and spread your arms and legs to improve stability. It is OK if your legs sink - everyone floats differently.

Once your breathing is under control, call for help or swim to safety if you are able to do so. Practise floating in a supervised location, such as a swimming pool.
Craster ILB opposite Seahouse Farm at Howick

RNLI/Amble RNLI

Craster D Class searching for the Kayak at Seahouses Farm, Howick
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RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Andrew Cowan, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI North and East, [email protected]

Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for North East and East England, 07824 518641, [email protected]

Richard Grange, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for North East and East England, 07483 112015, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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

Andrew Cowan
Lifeboat Press Officer, Craster Lifeboat Station

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