Redcar RNLI search for missing swimmer

A companion of the swimmer raised the alarm just before 12.30pm when they lost sight of her swimming at the South Gare, near Redcar.

Both lifeboats from Redcar were launched to search between Redcar and the South Gare lighthouse. After 20 minutes searching the woman was spotted safe and well, returning to the beach at the South Gare.

Mark McGuire, Deputy Launching Authority at Redcar RNLI, said: “This turned out to be a false alarm with good intent. The swimmer’s companion did exactly the right thing by raising the alarm.

“The North Sea is still very cold at this time of the year and someone in trouble in the water will only survive a short time before the effects of the cold water kick in. So we’d rather have a call like this than find someone in a serious condition.”

Mark McGuire added: “And there’s a silver lining to this story anyway. The swimmer was doing a sponsored swim to raise money for the RNLI Mayday appeal.”

For more information on the Mayday appeal, go to RNLI Mayday Appeal – Will you answer the crews’ Mayday call?

Ends

Notes to editors:

Attached is a library image of the Redcar RNLI lifeboats. Credit RNLI/Dave Cocks

Redcar lifeboat station has been operating since 1802

Redcar currently operates a B-class lifeboat named Leicester Challenge III, paid for by the people of Leicester, and an IB1-class lifeboat named Eileen May Loach-Thomas, paid from the legacy of the late Mr Nick Thomas of Shropshire

For more news, information and images go to www.redcarlifeboat.org.uk. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/redcarrnli and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RedcarRNLI

Any images used should be credited RNLI/Redcar unless indicated

RNLI media contacts:

For more information please contact Dave Cocks, RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer on 07894 558 483. Alternatively, contact Clare Hopps, RNLI Press Officer, North 07824 518641 or at [email protected], or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789; [email protected]

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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 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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