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Hartlepool RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews rescue dinghy couple lost in thick fog

Lifeboats News Release

Both Hartlepool RNLI lifeboats were launched to search for two male adults who were in a two metre dinghy that was lost in thick fog off Hartlepool.

Humber Coastguard paged Hartlepool RNLIat 8.14pm on Monday 28 May to search for two adult males who were lost at sea in thick fog while fishing off Hartlepool in a two metre dinghy.


The inshore and all-weather lifeboats were launched at 8.30pm and commenced a search for the casualty.


The inshore lifeboat crew found the casualty vessel at 8.45pm near Longscar Rocks in two metres of water where visibility in the thick fog was down to five metres.


The two people on board, were placed aboard the inshore lifeboat and the casualty vessel was taken under tow back to Hartlepool RNLI lifeboat station where it was recovered and the two people made their own way home unscathed after their ordeal.


Hartlepool RNLI Lifeboats Operations Manager Chris Hornsey said: 'This was a tricky rescue with poor visibility in the thick fog. Fortunately the professionalism and dedication of our volunteer lifeboat crews quickly brought the incident to a safe conclusion.'

RNLI Media contacts

For further details please contact Hartlepool RNLI Lifeboat Station press officer Tom Collins on: 07896 793557.




RNLI/Tom Collins

Hartlepool RNLI inshore lifeboat with the two casualties on board and the dinghy alongside at the Ferry Road lifeboat station where a crew member assisted with the recovery.

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.

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