Sunderland RNLI in multi-agency rescue which saves three men from drowning
Shortly after 2pm Saturday afternoon both inshore lifeboats from Sunderland RNLI launched to assist three fishermen who found themselves in difficulty after their boat capsized close to Roker Pier.
The alarm was raised when several members of the public dialled ‘999’ to report the incident to Coastguards based at Humber Coastguard after they saw the boat capsize leaving the men in the water hanging onto their upturned boat.
The Coastguard immediately requested the launch of three RNLI lifeboats from Sunderland and Tynemouth as well a shore-based Coastguard Rescue Team from Sunderland.
The first lifeboat launched from Sunderland 10 minutes after receiving the alert from the Coastguard arriving on scene minutes later.
The volunteers onboard quickly recovered the three men from the water before taken them safely back to Sunderland Marina where they were met by members of Sunderland Coastguard Rescue Team and RNLI shore crew.
Paramedics from North East Ambulance Service then met the casualties at the boathouse and following assessment one was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital for further treatment.
RNLI Volunteer Helmsman Paul Nicholson says: ‘We understand the boat capsized after becoming snagged on a floating line from a lobster pot. Thankfully, our volunteers were able to respond extremely quickly to this incident and prevent a tragic accident which could have very easily ended up with three lives being lost.'
As a registered charity the RNLI relies on voluntary donations and legacies from the public for its income.
Notes to editors
• Sunderland RNLI Lifeboat Station is the oldest continually operational lifeboat in the United Kingdom. It was originally opened in 1800 before being adopted by the RNLI in 1865.
• Sunderland RNLI Lifeboat Station has a profile on Twitter (SunderlandRNLI) and Facebook (RNLI Sunderland) where supporters can keep up to date with station specific activities and news.
• Sunderland RNLI Lifeboat Station operates two inshore type lifeboats: An Atlantic 85 8.3m inflatable capable of 35 knots and a D Class (IB-1) 4.5m inflatable capable of 25 knots.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone:
Paul Nicholson, Sunderland RNLI Press Officer on 07957 494 077 or email - [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.
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.