Blyth RNLI volunteer crew rescue fisherman from the East Pier

Blyth RNLI volunteer crew were paged at 2.20pm by UK Coastguard to assist the local UK Coastguard team in reaching a fisherman that was at the end of the East Pier at Blyth.
Both the station's inshore lifeboats were launched and reached the fisherman shortly afterwards who was found to be sheltering by the lighthouse.
Once on scene it was deemed that due to the conditions caused by the tidal surge and the rising tide that the assistance of the UK Coastguard helicopter would be required.
The volunteer crew kept watch on the fisherman and were joined alongside by the Blyth pilot boat.
Due to the worsening conditions and with the aid of the Blyth pilot boat a crew member from one of the inshore lifeboats was transferred onto the pier and they made their way along the pier to make contact with the casualty.
Upon reaching the casualty and securing a lifejacket on them it was decided due to the changing weather conditions and high tide approaching that there was the possibility that the crew member and fisherman would be swamped and at risk of being washed off the pier.
The crew member whilst watching the oncoming waves escorted the casualty back along the pier to a point where they could board the pilot boat and return to safety.
Both lifeboats then escorted the pilot boat back to the lifeboat station and the fisherman was handed over to awaiting local UK Coastguard unit.
Graham Short, Helmsman of the B Class Inshore Lifeboat Vic & Billie Whiffen said : 'The conditions were very challenging this afternoon and especially as we were aware of the high tide due. We'd urge people to think about the weather conditions and the warnings that we given out before making a decision as to whether they are going to potentially put themselves at risk. We are glad that this ended with a safe conclusion.'

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For more information please call Robin Palmer, RNLI Deputy Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on: 07801 290638.

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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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