Withernsea RNLI lifeboat crew rush to sinking fishing vessel
On Saturday 3 September the Withernsea RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew were paged at 12:50 after reports from a member of the public that a boat one mile east of Withernsea was in trouble.
Withernsea RNLI inshore lifeboat Henley Eight was launched at 12:55 and reached the scene within minutes.
A nearby fishing boat had taken the sinking vessel’s lone skipper aboard whilst a third nearby vessel was already towing the submerged, and now capsized, casualty vessel back towards Withernsea.
The volunteer lifeboat crew administered first aid to the skipper of the casualty vessel before escorting the casualty vessel and the fishing boat towing it, back to the beach.
Withernsea RNLI crewman Chris Cuthbert said: ‘The fisherman was very lucky that there were two nearby boats who could help him. Even though we launched in a very quick time, the situation could have been a lot different if he was still in the water when we arrived.’
‘He was very shaken up and understandably upset at the loss of his boat. Our volunteers train twice a week for every possible scenario, and today goes to show that you never know what might happen and how things can change quickly. We are all very relieved that the fisherman is okay.’
RNLI Photo caption
Stephen Littlewood has given the RNLI permission to use this photo of the casualty vessel, taken on board one of the vessels that went to help the casualty.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Matt Woodhouse, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07875 485784 or [email protected] or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789.
Key facts about the RNLI
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, 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.