Seahouses Inshore Lifeboat called twice to separate incidents
Seahouses Inshore Lifeboat called twice to separate incidents
Lifeboats News Release
After experiencing the first July in over 10 years without any call outs, Seahouses RNLI were back in action on 1st August, with two calls within 20 minutes.
The first incident came in at 13:47, to assist three Kayakers in difficulty in the water beside their flooded craft, just off Seahouses. A local passenger vessel and a local fishing boat had meanwhile gone to assist the kayakers after calling the Coastguard, and brought them and their kayaks back to Seahouses, where they were checked over by the RNLI crew at the Lifeboat Station. None required medical assistance, apart from being very cold and wet. The Inshore Lifeboat was then stood down once the kayakers were confirmed to be safe.
The second call came moments later at 14:07. The Lifeboat was tasked to assist a male and female from a motor vehicle cut off by the tide, while attempting to cross Holy Island Causeway, contrary to the safe crossing times (one hour after being safe to cross).
The Coastguard Operations Room had advised the casualties to make their way to the Refuge Box to await rescue. Local Coastguard Rescue Teams had also been mobilised to the scene. The Inshore Lifeboat was launched and made best speed to the Causeway. The casualties were taken aboard the Lifeboat and landed safely on the mainland side of the Causeway, where they were handed into the care of the awaiting Coastguards.
Safe Crossing Times for Tuesday 01/08/2023 were 06:10 until 13:05 and from 19:05 until 01:15 (Wed).
Seahouses RNLI Volunteer Press Officer Ian Clayton commented, 'After a strangely quiet July, August arrived abruptly with crew pagers bleeping (twice)! I understand the kayakers had attempted to empty their flooded craft, without success in the swell. Fortunately, local boats close by, came to their assistance. The second incident on the Causeway was disappointing, that despite all the publicity, strandings are still happening. We once again urge visitors not to try and cross the Causeway once the water reaches it, and to please heed the safe crossing times displayed.'
RNLI/Ian Clayton
The newly refurbished Refuge Box at low tide on the Causeway
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.