Newbiggin Launches to Drifting Fishing Boat
The UK Coastguard requested the launch of Newbiggin lifeboat today after a distress call came in.
Newbiggin's Atlantic 85 lifeboat 'Richard Wake Burdon' was quickly launched with four volunteer crew on board and quickly located the drifting vessel off Cresswell. The vessel had earlier suffered engine starting problems and the offshore wind was thwarting attempts to make for the shore. With a tow attached the lifeboat headed to Cresswell for a short journey to the beach where the 'Redeemed' and her crew of two were passed into the care of the Newbiggin Coastguard team. Once the casualty vessel was safely recovered on the beach Newbiggin lifeboat left the beach and headed south back to their base.
ENDS
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Richard Martin, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Newbiggin on 07980 010544 or richard_martin2@rnli.org.uk or Alison Levett RNLI Media Relations Manager North on 07786 668912 or alison_levett@rnli.org.uk or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789
If you would like to find out more about Newbiggin lifeboat station, its volunteers and its heritage then take a look at the local websites.
Key facts about the RNLI
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.
The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 or by email.
The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland