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Seahouses lifeboat called to reports of flares and people calling for help

Lifeboats News Release

At 11:51am on Monday 15 August 2022 UK Coastguard requested the launch of Seahouses all-weather lifeboat, following several reports from the public of people calling for help, and two flares fired in the fog at Beadnell Bay.

Seahouses Lifeboat RNLB John and Elizabeth Allan

RNLI/Ian Clayton

Seahouses Lifeboat RNLB John and Elizabeth Allan
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The all-weather Shannon class lifeboat, which is equipped with radar, was launched and began a search of Beadnell Bay, while Coastguard Rescue Teams conducted a shoreline search.

Craster inshore lifeboat also joined the search, but nothing was found. There was suggestion that fireworks had been set off.

Seahouses RNLI Press Officer Ian Clayton added: 'It is always a concern when a search produces no results. If fireworks had been let off, people need to carefully consider that at the coast they can be mistaken for distress flares, which can spark an emergency services response, as happened today. At this time, we believe this incident was a false alarm with good intent.'

RNLI Media contacts
For more information please contact Ian Clayton, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [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.

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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.

About the author

Ian Clayton
Lifeboat Press Officer, Seahouses Lifeboat Station

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