North Berwick RNLI launch to assist in multiple boat incident

North Berwick volunteer RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) crew were launched on Saturday 15 October to assist East Lothian Yacht Club in recovering a number of capsized boats in varying localities off shore.

North Berwick Lifeboat Evelyn M was launched at 1158am to reports of multiple capsized vessels off North Berwick. As our volunteers mustered, they were made aware that the dinghies were part of an East Lothian Yacht Club (ELYC) activity. The dinghies had been abandoned after a sudden deterioration in conditions, with their occupants safely rescued by ELYC Rescue Boats.

Once the crew established the safety of the sailors, they launched to assist ELYC Rescue Boats in the recovery of the 5 abandoned sailing dinghies which had dispersed over a wide area due to the wind and tide.

Two vessels were righted and handed over to ELYC Rescue Boats, whilst one was towed in by the Lifeboat. The crew had been operating in rough conditions for 1.5 hours, so a crew change took place with the fresh crew rescuing another vessel, the final brought ashore by an ELYC Rescue Boat. North Berwick Coastguard Rescue Team coordinated the rescue effort alongside members of ELYC guiding rescue assets to the capsized vessels which were difficult to spot from the water.

Even experienced sailors and those participating in organised activities can get caught out by sudden changes in conditions. Always wear a flotation device, appropriate clothing for your activity and carry a means of calling for help. Should the unexpected occur ensure you have an agreed emergency action plan and an understanding of when to call for outside assistance.

In this instance the crew were pleased to find that ELYC personnel had prioritised the wellbeing of the sailors by taking them off capsized vessels once there were too many capsizes to deal with. This allowed the vessels to be recovered in a controlled manner.

North Berwick Lifeboat Helm Niall Grant said “As all the participants were safe, the rescue provided an opportunity for new crew members to experience rescuing sailing boats in challenging conditions and share the incident with more than one crew for training benefit.”

After 3 hours all vessels, rescue boats and participants were all back safely on dry land. The lifeboat Evelyn M was recovered, refuelled and ready for service.

In any coastal emergency dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Notes to editors

· North Berwick lifeboat station has been operating since 1860. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: [www.rnli.org/northberwick]

RNLI media contacts

Rhona Meikle, North Berwick Lifeboat Press Officer, 07767 251023, [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

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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 over 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 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.

Learn more about the RNLI

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.

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.