Abandoned clothing sparks two hour search for Withernsea RNLI

At 7:54am on Friday 6 July, the UK Coastguard requested the launch of Withernsea's inshore lifeboat Henley Eight. Shortly after, three of Withernsea's volunteer crew were at sea searching for a missing person after clothing was found abandoned at the water's edge.

In calm conditions, the lifeboat crew searched the Withernsea coastline for over two hours along with local Coastguards, Police and the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter from Humberside. At 10.38am, the lifeboat and its crew were stood down after the missing person was found safely by Police.

Friday's call out was the first for volunteer Steve Sawden, who was looking after his daughter when the pagers sounded. He said: 'We had just finished breakfast when the pagers went off. You never know when we are going to be needed, but luckily I had finished my Coco Pops!.'

'It was my first call out on the lifeboat, and the training we receive from the RNLI prepared all the crew well for performing the search pattern we needed to. We're all happy the person was found safe on land.'

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 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.