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First call out for new Hartlepool lifeboat

Lifeboats News Release

Hartlepool RNLI volunteers were paged at 7.30am on Sunday 9 March by Humber Coastguard to assist an 8 metre fishing vessel with two people on board that had suffered mechanical failure approximately one mile off Seaton Carew.

RNLI/Tom Collins

The all weather lifeboat 'John Sharp' pictured towing the casualty vessel in to Hartlepool Marina.
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The all weather lifeboat John Sharp launched in thick fog at 7.56am and was alongside the casualty vessel 15 minutes later.

After the volunteer crew assessed the situation, it was decided that the safest option was to tow the vessel to Hartlepool Marina.

The lifeboat returned to the Ferry Road boathouse and was made ready for service by 10.00am.

Coxswain Matt Adams said: 'This was the first job for the John Sharp lifeboat and with about 20 metres visibility this morning it certainly wasn't the easiest but once again it's one of the type of jobs we train for on a regular basis.'

RNLI Media Contacts

Hartlepool RNLI volunteer press officer Tom Collins email: [email protected]

Clare Hopps (RNLI Regional Communications Manager, North East and East): [email protected] Tel:07824 518641


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, X, TikTok 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.

About the author

Tom Collins
Lifeboat Press Officer, Hartlepool Lifeboat Station

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