North Berwick RNLI Lifeboat rescues windsurfer off Gullane during Storm Dennis

The North Berwick RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) volunteer crew launched Evelyn M their inshore lifeboat after reports were received that a windsurfer was in difficulty off Gullane. His mast had broken and he was in the water drifting off shore with the wind gusting over 45mph. The crew made reasonable progress in the challenging conditions. The man was located and taken aboard the lifeboat, checked out and taken back to North Berwick.

Rhona Meikle, volunteer lifeboat press officer, said: “The surfer was incredibly well prepared, he was wearing a lifejacket, he had a mobile phone in his pocket with a personal location beacon in his other pocket. He was also wearing a thick wetsuit with hood and gloves. He had gone out to enjoy the conditions and was extremely unlucky that his mast broke. He had contacted his shore cover and let them know he was in difficulty then activated his location beacon.

"The lifeboat crew have incredible faith in their training, experience and equipment, this was all used yesterday in the conditions of Storm Dennis. We would encourage all water users to wear lifejackets and have at least one way of contacting help. If they can have someone watching from the shore even better.”

Notes to editors

· North Berwick lifeboat station has been operating since 1860. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: [RNLI.org.uk]

· A photo of NorthBerwick lifeboat can be viewed at: [North Berwick RNLI facebook page]

RNLI media contacts

Rhona Meikle, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at North Berwick, 07767 251023, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 01738 642986, 07920 365929, [email protected]

Gemma McDonald, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 01738 642956, 07826 900639, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

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For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.

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 over 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 142,200 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.