Berwick upon Tweed RNLI first shout of the New Year
Berwick upon Tweed RNLI's first shout of the New Year came on the 4 January at 3.35pm from HM Coastguard UK, to launch the D Class inshore lifeboat, in order to assist a person who had become cut off by the rising tide a couple of miles up the river Tweed from the Estuary and lifeboat station.
At the Helm, Michael Percy along with, crew Robbie Skelly and Hugo Huges, made haste. There was a moderate North West wind and overcast sky with a temperature of two degrees and falling.
They arrived at the scene to find a farmer who had been out working.
Once they had the person on board, the crew sailed over to the river bank and handed them over to the awaiting Berwick Coastguard team.
Michael Percy as RNLI Helmsman said: ‘It has been very high tides this week, coupled with the river in spate following a period of heavy rain, may mean low lying areas may get submerged or cut off unexpectedly and fairly quickly. Extra care should be taken.
'The gentlemen did the right thing calling for help and not entering the water to reach safety, given the time of year, very cold temperatures and fast flowing water. A good turn out from our volunteer crew.’
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For more information please contact Hazel Bettison, RNLI Volunteer Press Officer on: 07944 757578 or email [email protected]
Further contacts: Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Media Officer (North East and East) on: 07824 518641 or email [email protected]
Jim Rice, RNLI Regional Media Manager (North East and East) on: 07810 658072 or email [email protected]
RNLI Press Office on: 01202 336789 or email [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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