Call to stranded angler

The request for assistance came in around 7.20pm when the solo angler was seen on the Newbiggin north breakwater fishing during the fast flowing tide and rough seas. The access to the breakwater was now cut off due to the rising tide with the only safe extraction option using the lifeboat.

Newbiggin's B class lifeboat 'Richard Wake Burdon' was quickly launched with four volunteer crew on board arriving off the breakwater within seconds. The lifeboat was brought up to the rocky structure to safely transfer the angler on board then returned to station.

The angler was checked over and handed into the care of the local coastguard rescue teams who had been dealing with an earlier incident in the area. They offered the appropriate safety information regarding the dangers of fishing at this location with such rough sea conditions and a flowing tide.

ENDS

RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Richard Martin, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Newbiggin on 07980 010544 or [email protected] or Jim Rice 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

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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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