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Eyemouth RNLI crew in multi-agency search for missing plane

Lifeboats News Release

Eyemouth volunteers were called on to assist in a search for a possible downed aircraft after a military source picked up a distress signal around 50 miles east of Eyemouth.

Eyemouth RNLI volunteers return to Eyemouth harbour after 10 hours on service

RNLI/Eyemouth

Eyemouth RNLI volunteers return after 10 hours on service

The crew were bringing a casualty yacht into Eyemouth harbour on 13 August 2024 when the call came through to head back out into the North Sea.

Eyemouth’s all-weather lifeboat ‘Helen Hastings’ joined with HM Coastguard helicopter 199 from Prestwick, an aircraft from Aberdeen and two nearby vessels, to thoroughly search the area.

Nothing was found so the search was ended. A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said: "At 13:30 this afternoon (13 August) HM Coastguard received a report of a possible downed aircraft in the North Sea.

"A coastguard helicopter, coastguard fixed wing aircraft, Eyemouth RNLI lifeboat and two vessels that were in the area were sent. A thorough search was carried out with nothing found and the search has been stood down."

Eyemouth lifeboat returned to Eyemouth harbour at 8 pm where they refueled and cleaned the lifeboat, after 10 hours of service.



Notes to editors

Eyemouth lifeboat station has been operating since 1876. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/eyemouth-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

Wendy Lorimer, Lifeboat Press Officer, 07946650114, [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

RNLI/Eyemouth

HM Coastguard 199 helicopter search pattern

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.

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