Donate now

Staithes and Runswick RNLI lifeboat tasked to wooden boat in difficulty

Lifeboats News Release

The volunteer crew of Staithes and Runswick RNLI lifeboat were paged at 2.19pm on 15 December 2023 to a wooden boat with two persons on board. The 23ft vessel, which had suffered engine failure two miles North East of Staithes, was on passage to Scarborough.

RNLI/James Stoker

Library Photo: B-897 Sheila and Dennis Tongue III entering Staithes harbour during a training exercise.

Lee Jackson, helm of Staithes and Runswick lifeboat said: ‘After assessing the situation the safest course of action was to take the casualty vessel under tow to the nearest suitable harbour.

‘This was a routine tow in favourable weather conditions, and the casualty vessel was taken under tow to Staithes harbour, where ropes had been prepared by shore crew, for the boat to be brought alongside the pier there.’

Staithes and Runswick RNLI lifeboat returned to station at 3.30pm.

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 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.


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.

Categories