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Hartlepool RNLI called out for whale in distress

Lifeboats News Release

Following a request from Humber Coastguard at 9.15am on Sunday 26 November, Hartlepool RNLI's inshore lifeboat Solihull and volunteer crew launched at 9.20am to monitor what was thought to be a Minke whale that was entangled in rope at an area off Seaton Carew near Longscar Rocks.

RNLI/Tom Collins

A local Coastguard member monitors the progress of the whale at Seaton Carew. Pic by Tom Collins/Hartlepool RNLI

The whale had earlier been spotted on the shoreline at Seaton Carew by a member of the public who had contacted the Coastguard.

Hartlepool RNLI inshore volunteer lifeboat helm Matt Blanchard said: ‘We carried out a search of the area but nothing was found. Hopefully the whale has since freed itself from the rope’.

The RNLI crew were stood down by Humber Coastguard at 9.55am and returned to the Ferry Road lifeboat station where the inshore lifeboat was made ready for service by 10.20am

RNLI media contact

For more information please telephone Tom Collins, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07896 793557

RNLI/Tom Collins

Hartlepool RNLI volunteer crew members pictured at the lifeboat station after their search for the whale. Pic Tom Collins/Hartlepool RNLI

Pic credit unknown.

The whale on the shoreline at Seaton Carew. 26th November 2017

Pic credit unknown.

The whale on the shoreline at Seaton Carew. 26th November 2017

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.

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