Cullercoats RNLI called out to paddleboarders in difficulty

With Cullercoats Harbour Day so close (Saturday 18th August), some of the crew were already in the boathouse making preparations when they were paged. This meant they were quickly able to change into their dry suits and prepare to launch. Before the lifeboat could enter the water, the paddleboarders thankfully reached the shore safely at Longsands and the lifeboat crew were stood down. The lifeboat was rehoused and made ready for service once again.

Earlier in the evening, two crew members had helped a 14-year-old boy who had injured himself on the pier. While playing in the waves, he had been washed off the pier, badly scraping and bruising his left arm. The crew members performed casualty care on the boy, cleaning and bandaging his arm before reminding him of the dangers of playing around the pier. The casualty was thankful for their help and the crew returned to their preparations.

Written by Anna Heslop, Cullercoats Crew Member and Press Officer, [email protected]

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.