Search after a report of a missing fisherman at Blyth Harbour

The crew were first alerted by their pagers at 23.34pm on Friday 23rd December and both the B and D class inshore lifeboats were launched and were at the scene shortly afterwards.

Both the lifeboats were then involved in a multi agency search co-ordinated by UK Coastguard.

The all-weather lifeboat from Amble RNLI was also requested to assist with the search in very challenging weather conditions with strong winds and rough seas hampering the crews with the search.

After three hours the lifeboats from Blyth RNLI had to return to their station in order that they could refuel but were quickly back out resuming their search.

At 3.48am on Christmas Eve,UK Coastguard called off the search and the lifeboats were stood down and returned to station.

The lifeboats were made ready for service at 4.15am.

Helmsman Scott Delf said: “We responded very quickly to reports of a person in the water close to the Lighthouse at the entrance to Blyth Harbour. The search we undertook was difficult due to the weather and the sea conditions.”

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The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.

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