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Road barrier sparks call out for Hartlepool RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

On Sunday 16th November at 1.30pm Hartlepool RNLI volunteers were paged by Humber Coastguard to search an area off the Heugh Breakwater at the Headland, Hartlepool where anglers fishing from the breakwater had seen what they thought was a body in the water.

RNLI/Tom Collins

Hartlepool RNLI crewmember Jake Oates pictured with the barrier that was recovered from the sea off the Headland, Hartlepool. Also pictured are crewmembers (left to right) Kayley Turner Jordan Craddy and Darren Killick.
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Hartlepool RNLI inshore lifeboat 'Solihull' and four volunteer crewmembers launched at 1.40pm only to discover that the body was in fact a plastic road barrier attached to a black black plastic sheet.
The barrier and sheet were recovered and returned to the boathouse.

Whilst returning to the boathouse the lifeboat assisted an 8 metre yacht with 3 people on board opposite the Pilot Pier the short distance back to its berth at Kafiga Landings at the Headland.
The lifeboat returned to the the Ferry Road boathouse at 2.10pm and was refuelled and made ready for service by 2.30pm.

Inshore lifeboat helm Darren Killick said 'The object floating in the water did look rather suspicious from a distance but obviously on closer inspection it turned out to be a road barrier.
We have been called out to deal with many random items from the sea in the past which have included a portable toilet, tree trunks, kayaks and a variety of inflatables that included a six foot crocodile.'

Darren added ‘If you do see someone in trouble in the water call 999 and ask for the Coastguard, this simple action might just help save a life.'

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 142,700 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.

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.

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About the author
Tom Collins
Lifeboat Press Officer, Hartlepool Lifeboat Station


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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, 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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