North Berwick RNLI Lifeboat called out to clothes left at Old Pier.

North Berwick RNLI lifeboat launched Thursday evening at 11.35pm. A concerned member of the public reported they found clothing at the side of the water on the old pier. The lifeboat was launched to investigate.

A member of the public reported that they had been at the harbour at 10.00pm and the gate to the old pier was closed. He had returned about 11.15pm and the gate was open. He had walked down the steps to the pier and had discovered a number of items of clothing. In response he called 999 and reported the findings to the Coastguard.

The Coastguard then contacted North Berwick RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) Lifeboat. The volunteer crew members were paged and launched Evelyn M to investigate. Also in attendance was North Berwick Coastguard, Police Scotland and the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter.

The Harbour area and West bay out to Craigleith Island and as far as Lamb Island by the lifeboat crew using parachute flares to provide light. The rescue helicopter attended and expanded the search. A land search was carried out by North Berwick Coastguard. Nothing was found during the search.

Lifeboat Press officer Rhona Meikle said “ An extensive search of the area was carried out by our volunteer lifeboat crew, coastguard, police and the coastguard helicopter. This was as the result of genuine concerns reported correctly to the coastguard via the 999 system. It is now suspected that the clothing was carelessly left by teenage swimmers earlier in the evening and we would request people to be more careful when enjoying our beautiful coast line. “

If you see something that concerns you on or near the water please call 999 and ask for the coastguard.

RNLI media contacts

Rhona Meikle, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at North Berwick, 07767 251023, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 01738 642986, 07920 365929, [email protected]

Gemma McDonald, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 01738 642956, 07826 900639, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

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For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.

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 over 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 142,200 lives.

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.