Cullercoats RNLI reaches a record 60 service calls
Cullercoats lifeboat station exceeds 60 service calls for the year to date, as the station's Lifeboat Operations Manager turns 60
With 63 service calls so far in 2025, Cullercoats RNLI is experiencing its busiest year on record. The lifeboat station previously recorded 2024 as having the highest number of taskings, finishing the year on 45 service calls, but by 20th October 2025, Cullercoats’ callouts totalled 59.
Just after 8pm that evening, the crew were paged to launch the lifeboat in response to reports of a person heard calling for help from the rocks at the south side of the bay. An extensive multi-agency search took place, by boat and on the shore, but the calls for assistance were determined to be a hoax.
During debrief, the crew reflected on the busy year and noted the significance of the 60th shout- just hours before Lifeboat Operations Manager Kay Heslop’s 60th birthday. Having taken on the role in 2022, Kay has provided consistent support and exceptionally strong leadership to the lifeboat station and the crew of volunteers, so it seemed right to recognise the moment. The coincidence of the 60th shout on her 60th birthday didn’t last long though- soon after the crew had cleaned down the boat and returned home, they were paged again to assist a person in distress. With the boat launching around twenty past midnight, the crew had been called out 61 times by 21st October.
Kay said: 'this year, the busiest on record, has challenged the crew both in terms of the commitment of their time and also through the varied taskings we have received. It has also brought the opportunity for shared learning experiences and team building whilst providing a dedicated service to our community. I could not be more proud of what they, as volunteers, have consistently delivered throughout the year'.
The reason behind the increase in service calls in 2025 remains unknown but could be attributed to the unseasonably warm spring weather and dry summer leading to an increase in beach users. Along with this, the work of the water safety team in promoting awareness of actions to take should a person in distress in the water be encountered is likely to have resulted in more calls being made to the coastguard.
For further information contact Sarah Whitelaw, Lifeboat Press Officer, Cullercoats Lifeboat Station: [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.
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.