Cullercoats Lifeboat launches three times on Easter Sunday

The volunteer lifeboat crew had a busy Easter Sunday today as they were called out at 12:19pm, 2:59pm and 4:15pm. Each time, the lifeboat crew made their way down to the lifeboat station and launched the lifeboat as quickly and as safely as possible. With the bank holiday weekend being so warm, hundreds of people have flocked to the coast and the beaches were very busy.

The first 'shout' at 12:19pm was to a motor cruiser with two persons on board that had broken down to the East of St Mary's Island. The lifeboat crew located the vessel and towed it safely back to Royal Quays Marina. The two casualties on board were both wearing lifejackets and were very grateful for the assistance of the lifeboat.

The second shout at 2:59pm was to reports of some children in difficulty in the water in Brown's Bay, Cullercoats. The lifeboat launched quickly and proceeded North to the last known position of the casualties. As the lifeboat arrived on scene, it was established that the children had scrambled ashore and were safe. Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade (TVLB) were also in attendance. Once the lifeboat had returned to station and when the crew were washing down, the children came down to thank the crew for checking they were ok.

The third shout at 4:15pm was to reports of two people cut off by the tide on Sharpness Point, Tynemouth. The lifeboat launched and made best speed towards Sharpness Point, where the two casualties could be seen on a rock with the tide rising around them; they had called 999 and asked the Coastguard for the lifeboat once they realised they were in danger. The lifeboat manoeuvred between the rocks, where the crew were able to bring the casualties onto the boat. Once they were safely aboard, the lifeboat returned to station where the TVLB were also waiting to provide assistance.

The lifeboat was then washed down, refuelled and made ready for service once more. All casualties aided by Cullercoats Lifeboat today are safe and well.

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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