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Lifeboat rescues two people from drifting inflatable

Lifeboats News Release

The dangers of inflatables at sea were once again highlighted this week during an incident at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea.

Lifeboat at sea

RNLI/Richard Martin

Newbiggin Lifeboat
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UK Coastguard Humber Operations received a call of an inflatable with two persons on board in difficulty off the Church Point headland at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea. A fresh offshore wind was blowing which was compromising the safety of the inflatable and it’s two occupants as it was blown further out to sea.

The Coastguard requested the immediate launch of Newbiggin’s Atlantic 85 B class lifeboat Richard Wake Burdon to assist and recover the casualty. Newbiggin’s Coastguard Rescue Team were also tasked and took up position to locate and coordinate the lifeboat onto the casualty. The lifeboat was quickly on scene to find the drifting inflatable well out with the two persons on board suffering from the effects of the cold. The lifeboat returned to the bay where the two persons were checked over and treated following their ordeal with assistance from the coastguard who additional gave safety advice on the significant risks involved of using inflatable dinghies in the open sea.

ENDS

RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Richard Martin, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Newbiggin on 07980 010544 or [email protected] or Nicola Quinn Regional Media Manager – North East & East telephone 07810 658 072 email [email protected] or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789

If you would like to find out more about Newbiggin lifeboat station, its volunteers and its heritage then take a look at the local websites


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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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About the author

Richard Martin
Lifeboat Press Officer, Newbiggin Lifeboat Station

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