Late night multi agency search for RNLI Withernsea

Withernsea's inshore lifeboat Henley Eight launched within five minutes of the pagers sounding, and immediately began a shoreline search up to the North of Withernsea. Meanwhile local Coastguard units from Hornsea and Withernsea were searching the promenade and beach along with Humberside Police.

The lifeboat had been searching for 20 minutes when all emergency services were stood down when the man was located in land.

Lifeboat Operations Manager Martin Woodhouse said: "The crew and station management are relieved the gentleman was found safe on land.

"At high tide, with a breaking surf at night, conditions were difficult for the crew on the lifeboat but they did a fantastic job searching until we were stood down. We train twice a week for every possible scenario and only the same day the crew had been out exercising to familiarise themselves with our beaches at high tide. We urge members of the public to Respect the Water as this call out could have had a very different ending."

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.

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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.