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Staithes and Runswick lifeboat crews in joint training with RNLI lifeguards

Lifeboats News Release

Staithes and Runswick RNLI volunteer crew undertook training with the charity's lifeguards at Runswick Bay. The collaboration between lifeguards and lifeboat crews allows both parties to understand each other’s expertise and equipment to perform more effective and efficient rescues.

RNLI/James Stoker

RNLI lifeguards during exercise with Staithes and Runswick RNLI crew at Runswick Bay. As lifeboat crew and lifeguards hold the boat steady, lifeboat crew and lifeguards practice transferring to a lifeboat from shore.

Ailsa Legg, Senior Lifeguard said: ‘It’s been amazing to have the opportunity to train with the Staithes and Runswick Lifeboat and their crew.

'Joint training sessions are so valuable to us as they give us a chance to share our skills, knowledge, and experience with each other, as well as familiarise ourselves with one another’s kit – so should we ever find ourselves assisting during incidents we can work effortlessly as one team.’

Joint training exercises enable both parties to build trust and familiarity with each other's abilities, leading to smoother and safer rescue operations when emergencies arise.

The training on Monday 7 August involved simulated casualties in need of casualty care and extraction from the beach at Runswick Bay with both open wounds and fractures. Part of the exercise involved liaison with the lifeboat crew, coordinating the lifeboat coming close to the shore then the transfer of the casualties to the lifeboat.

Luke Hutchinson, Helm of Staithes and Runswick Lifeboat said: 'The evenings exercise has helped to reinforce a working relationship with, and given the opportunity to train with, our RNLI lifeguard colleagues. Something vital for both our volunteer crew and the RNLI’s lifeguards to ensure a standard approach to saving lives at sea. It was also a chance for them to learn more about us, and our Atlantic 85 lifeboat.’

This collaboration helps ensure the safety of people in and around the water and highlights the importance of teamwork and coordination in emergency response situations.

You can see the Staithes and Runswick’s volunteer lifeboat crew and RNLI lifeguards from Runswick Bay working together along with flank station Whitby and Redcar’s lifeboats during Staithes and Runswick RNLI lifeboat weekend. This joint demonstration will take place on Saturday 19 August, in Staithes, from around 2:45pm (subject to operational requirements).

Notes to Editor

Staithes and Runswick RNLI lifeboat has been in operation since 1978 with Atlantic B-Class inshore lifeboats (ILB’s). The present ILB at the station B-897 Sheila and Dennis Tongue III has been on station since 2016.

RNLI lifeguarded beaches in the Teesside, East Cleveland and North Yorkshire area are:

  • Redcar
  • Saltburn
  • Runswick Bay
  • Sandsend
  • Whitby
  • Scarborough North Bay and Scarborough South Bay
  • Cayton Bay
  • Filey

These beaches are all patrolled daily until 3 September 2023 between 10am-6pm.
Visit one of these RNLI lifeguarded beaches and swim between the red and yellow flags.

Staithes and Runswick lifeboat weekend takes place over the weekend of 18, 19, 20 August 2023.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

For more information please contact James Stoker, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at: [email protected] or Clare Hopps, Regional Media Officer on 07824 518641 or, [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

RNLI/James Stoker

RNLI lifeguards during exercise with Staithes and Runswick RNLI crew at Runswick Bay. Lifeguards and lifeboat crew here are extracting a simulated casualty from the rocky shore.

RNLI/James Stoker

Staithes and Runswick RNLI crew at Runswick Bay during exercise with RNLI lifeguards. A Staithes and Runswick Lifeboat crew member acts as shore party, liaising with the lifeboat and lifeguards.

RNLI/James Stoker

RNLI lifeguards during exercise with Staithes and Runswick RNLI crew at Runswick Bay during a search for the simulated casualties.

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, Twitter 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.