North Berwick and Kinghorn RNLI launch lifeboats to 3 people in difficulty

As the charity’s volunteer lifeboat crews were making their way to the area, more information was coming in that the casualties had become disorientated in the dunes in the eastern part of Gullane Bay, an area thick with gorse and tree cover.

North Berwick Lifeboat ( D-891, SUNIJO) initiated a shoreline search using search lights and night vision, with Kinghorn Lifeboat (relief lifeboat B-932, Pamela Rosemary Dashwood) utilising their infrared camera. The lifeboats also provided area lighting to members of North Berwick, Fisherrow Dunbar Coastguard Rescue Teams who were searching the dunes. The casualties were soon located albeit with some difficulty, and the Coastguard Rescue Teams spent considerable time to extract them safety through the thick gorse bushes.

Once the extraction route was confirmed as overland the lifeboats were stood down and made their way to their respective stations. RNLI lifeboats across the UK and RoI launch over 100 times on average during the Christmas period (24 Dec- 1 Jan), with 119 launches in 2024.

These rescues are only made possible by the RNLI’s generous supporters, helping to fund the essential kit, training and equipment needed to keep crews prepared and protected. Over £190M was spent in 2024 by the RNLI to keep the lifesaving operation running.

To make a donation to the RNLI’s Christmas Appeal, and enable the charity to continue its lifesaving work, visit: RNLI.org/WinterAppeal

Notes to editors

• In 2024 RNLI lifeboats from 238 stations across the UK and RoI launched 9,141 times saving 437 lives (alongside RNLI lifeguards), North Berwick launched 28 times, saving 7 lives.
• It cost £1,360 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 2024 it cost the RNLI £190M to run its charitable lifesaving service, 6 in 10 of the lifeboat launches were funded by generous supporters leaving the RNLI a gift in their will.

RNLI media contacts

Matthew Gibbons, Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, North Berwick, [email protected]
Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead 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 is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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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.