Trawler Rescued By Tynemouth RNLI Lifeboat After Running Aground

Tynemouth RNLI all weather lifeboat was requested to launch at 4.00am on Saturday by UK Coastguard's Humber Operations Centre after they received a report from Port of Tyne Vessel Traffic Services that a fishing vessel had run aground inside the south Tyne pier after losing steering.

After launching, the lifeboat sped the short distance across the lower Tyne harbour and quickly located the stricken vessel, the 18m, 87 tonne Fraserburgh-based Shaulora which had four fishermen on board.

The lifeboat crew confirmed with the skipper of the Shaulora that his vessel was not badly damaged or taking on water, and attached a tow rope to allow the lifeboat to pull her away from the pier. Once that was complete, and the Harbourmaster happy that there was no danger of the Shaulora sinking in the harbour, the lifeboat crew established an alongside tow and took her to safety at Western Quay, North Shields where members of the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade were waiting to assist with berthing.

Once the Shaulora was safely tied up on the quay, the lifeboat returned to station, arriving at 4.50am.

Adrian Don, spokesman for Tynemouth RNLI, said: ""Our volunteer crew members responded quickly to the potentially life-threatening situation of a vessel that may have been sinking.

"Thankfully the Shaulora wasn't badly damaged, none of the fishermen were injured and the fishing vessel was towed to safety in a textbook operation".

Ends

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.