Tynemouth RNLI Volunteers Receive Commendation
Three Tynemouth RNLI Volunteers have today been presented with Commendations from the RNLI’s Director of Lifesaving Operations in recognition of their dramatic rescue of a father and son who had been swimming off Marsden Rock, South Tyneside in July 2019
Volunteer crewmembers Michael Brown, Mark Taylor and lifeboat helm Mark Charlton were presented with their commendations in person by Tynemouth RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Doug Nicholson for their ‘swift and difficult’ rescue.
The rescue involved a technique known as ‘veering down’ the inshore lifeboat into an unexposed cove on the side of Marsden Rock while 2m high waves crashed over the boat, nearly washing the volunteer crew overboard.
Helm Mark Charlton was able to skilfully get the boat alongside Marsden Rock to allow the two casualties to jump into the sea nearby, where they were able to be pulled into the boat by Mark Taylor and Michael Brown.
Once the lifeboat was outside of the surf line, the anchor was cut to ensure the quick escape of the lifeboat from further risk, especially of capsizing, before the casualties were taken to South Shields ferry landing where they were treated by Paramedics for hyperthermia and minor cuts to their feet.
On receiving their commendations, Lifeboat Operations Manager Doug Nicholson commented, ‘While it only took around seven minutes in total to get the lifeboat into the surf and rescue the casualties, it was still a very challenging situation.
‘Our volunteer crew members used their training and experience to good effect and performed without fault to ensure the effective rescue of the casualties from a life threatening situation’.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Details of the original rescue can be found here:
https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2019/july/15/dramatic-rescue-of-father-and-son
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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, in a normal year, 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 142,700 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.
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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.
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