
Whitby RNLI lifeboat called to sinking coble
The volunteers at Whitby lifeboat station launched their all-weather lifeboat yesterday morning (Wednesday 16 January) after a fishing boat raised a mayday alarm when it began to take on water.
The small fishing boat with three people on board was damaged after striking an object in the water and began taking on water between Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay.
The crew aboard were using a bucket and a small pump when the lifeboat arrived and provided a larger pump for the task. The cobble was then chaperoned to Whitby Harbour where it was lifted out of the water at the local marine.
One of the charity’s volunteers involved in the rescue said: 'We were glad to see the boat had the correct equipment on board in order to remove the water from their vessel, we were happy to offer extra assistance to make sure the boat and those aboard made it back to harbour quickly and safely.'
If you get into difficulty on the water call the Coastguard on 999.
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For more information please contact Ceri Oakes, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [email protected]
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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