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North Berwick RNLI launch twice in two days ending busy week

Lifeboats News Release

Volunteer RNLI crew from North Berwick launched their D Class lifeboat, twice over the weekend responding to their pagers a total of six times during the first full week of the school summer holidays.

North Berwick Lifeboat, Evelyn M on it's trailer being pushed intot he water by the tractor during a call out

RNLI/North Berwick

North Berwick RNLI launch their D Class Lifeboat, Evelyn M
On Saturday, 8 July at 2.06pm North Berwick RNLI's volunteers went to the assistance of a vessel with engine failure. The vessel with three people on board had drifted onto Craiganteugh, a rocky island just to the west of the town’s harbour, before being assisted by a nearby Rescue Boat from East Lothian Yacht Club.

Once the lifeboat was on scene the crew quickly established a tow and returned the vessel and its occupants back to North Berwick where they were met by North Berwick Coastguard Rescue Team.

The crew sprung into action again at 3.42pm on Sunday 9 July launching to the assistance of a member of the public in difficulty on North Berwick’s west beach.

Thankfully the incident was largely resolved on arrival and the crew were able to leave the situation in the capable hands of members of the North Berwick Coastguard Rescue Team.

Simon Cowan, volunteer helm of North Berwick Lifeboat said, ‘Our volunteer crew are available to respond 24/7 and get tasked to a wide range of incidents as last week demonstrated. The key factor in recent incidents is that those who were in difficulty knew to call 999 for the Coastguard during any coastal emergency.’

‘We’d rather the public called for help early, than be fighting against time to race to the rescue.’

‘Water users can help themselves by ensuring their craft are seaworthy, engines are maintained, wearing appropriate clothing for their activity. Always wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid and carry a waterproof means of calling for help.’

In 2022, it cost the RNLI £188M to run its charitable lifesaving service. North Berwick RNLI will host a fundraising Open Day on Saturday, 29 July, 11am-4pm where the public will be able to climb aboard our D Class Inshore Lifeboat, Evelyn M and meet our mascot Stormy Stan with live music and fundraising stalls throughout the day.

Notes to editors

  • In 2022 RNLI lifeboats from 238 stations across the UK and RoI launched 9,312 times saving 389 lives, RNLI Lifeguards saved a further 117 lives.
  • It cost £1,400 a year to train each crew member in the lifesaving skills they need to answer the call for help
  • 97% of the RNLI’s frontline lifesavers are volunteers including over 5,700 lifeboat crew members.
  • In 2022 it cost the RNLI £188M to run it’s charitable lifesaving service, 6 in 10 of the lifeboat launches were funded be generous supporters leaving the RNLI a gift in their will.
  • Library footage and images of North Berwick RNLI are available on request, please use the contacts below.

RNLI media contacts

Matthew Gibbons, Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, North Berwick, [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]
24 hour RNLI Central Press Office, 01202 336789 or email [email protected]


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.

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