
Both Hartlepool RNLI lifeboats launch to boat fire
Both Hartlepool RNLI lifeboats were paged at 10.26am on Monday 9th August following a request by Humber Coastguard that flares had been fired from a boat off Hartlepool.
Both boats launched at 10.35am and were alongside the vessel within a few minutes.
On arrival at the scene a lifeboat crewmember from the inshore lifeboat was placed aboard the fishing boat that had taken the skipper off the boat to provide casualty care but none was required.
Both the inshore and all weather lifeboats stood by as a fire fighting tug from the River Tees had been requested by the Coastguard to extinguish the fire.
Hartlepool RNLI Deputy Launch Authority Steve Pounder said 'Once again a rapid response from the volunteer crewmembers meant we were quickly on scene to assist and keep the area clear of other vessels whilst the tug extinguished the fire. The inshore lifeboat recovered some debris from the sea.
The coble later sank and both boats returned to the Ferry Road lifeboat station at 12.10pm and were refuelled and made ready for service by 12.30pm
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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