Donate now

North Berwick RNLI launch on service twice in 48 hours

Lifeboats News Release

Volunteers from North Berwick RNLI launched the charity’s relief D-class lifeboat Robleen on Monday (10 June) and Wednesday (12 June) to assist a windsurfer and members of the public cut off by the tide.

North Berwick RNLI transfer tidal cut off casualty to lifeboat

RNLI/North Berwick

North Berwick RNLI transfer tidal cut off casualty to lifeboat

The first page came at 3.39 on Monday 10 June after a member of the public spotted a windsurfer who appeared to be in difficulty off Longniddry. They were reported as attempting to swim ashore and making no headway.

The volunteer crew assembled, launching the lifeboat shortly after, only to be stood down en-route after the casualty made it ashore into the care of Fisherrow Coastguard Rescue Team.

The second launch came early on Wednesday (12 June) morning at 6.05am when the Coastguard were alerted to two individuals cut off by the tide on rocks to the east of North Berwick. There are a number of tidal islands in the area known collectively as the Leithies.

The lifeboat was guided to the scene by members of North Berwick and Dunbar Coastguard Rescue Teams. The casualties were transported approximately 200m back to shore and handed over to the care of the Coastguard Rescue Team.

Water Safety Officer Duncan Barbour said, ‘There are a number of areas around the coast that can be cut off from the mainland at high tide. It’s important to check the local tide times, which you can do online or at the local harbour masters office.’

‘If you do get cut off by the tide, call 999 for the Coastguard as soon as you notice, although the tide will fall again, it might continue to rise leaving you surrounded by water.

Accurate tidal and weather predictions for local beaches can be found at metoffice.gov.uk. For more information about staying safe at the coast visit rnli.org.uk.

Notes to editors

  • In 2023 RNLI lifeboats from 238 stations across the UK and RoI launched 9,192 times saving 355 lives, RNLI Lifeguards saved a further 151 lives, North Berwick launched 21 times.
  • 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.

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.

Categories