Aberdeen Lifeboat launches to aid surfer off Aberdeen beach

The crew of three mustered quickly and launched the 5m-long D-class lifeboat ‘Buoy Woody 85N’ shortly after 3.30pm today, Tuesday 14 April, making best speed to the scene and arriving at around 3.45pm.

The surfer had been reported to be having difficulty getting back on their board or swimming ashore however, by the time the lifeboat arrived, was on their board and in no immediate danger. After speaking with the lifeboat crew, the surfer made his own way ashore.

The RNLI always says that any member of the public who is concerned for someone’s safety must not hesitate to call the Coastguard. The only action which could have prevented the crew from being called out would today have been if this surfer had stayed at home.

Bill Deans MBE, operations manager at Aberdeen Lifeboat Station, is disappointed his crew had to expose themselves to risk in this way.

“Like most people, our volunteer lifeboat crew members are self-isolating at home in line with government guidelines – mostly doing their day-jobs remotely. But they are always willing to set aside their own concerns to respond if the call comes that someone is in danger at sea,” says Mr Deans.

“There is no way a lifeboat crew of three can maintain 2m separation aboard a 5 metre long lifeboat – and if they had required to pull someone from the water, the infection concerns are obvious to all.”

Bill Deans continued: “I have every sympathy with people who would like to use their daily exercise period to swim, sail, surf or whatever – but on behalf of every lifeboat crewmember in the UK and Ireland, I have to appeal to them not to put our crews at indirect risk by going into or onto the sea. Stay safe ashore, protect the emergency services and save 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.