RNLI volunteers respond to incident off Withernsea
RNLI volunteers from Withernsea, Bridlington and Skegness lifeboat stations responded to the tasking by HM Coastguard at around 3.30pm on Friday 2 January, to assist in a multi-agency incident involving people in difficulty in the water off Withernsea.
RNLI crews were involved in the recovery of two casualties, and Withernsea, Bridlington and Skegness lifeboats continued to search the water for one remaining missing person. Conditions at sea were extremely difficult with three metre waves, strong winds and very cold air temperatures. After extensive shoreline and offshore searches, the search was stood down at around 12.30am.
Search efforts resumed at first light on Saturday 3 January, with RNLI volunteers from Withernsea searching the shoreline on foot alongside partner agencies in challenging snow conditions. HM Coastguard stood down the search at 4pm.
Agencies involved in the response included HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, Coastguard Rescue Teams from Withernsea, Hornsea and Hull, Hornsea Inshore Rescue, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, Humberside Police and Humberside Fire and Rescue.
We would like to thank members of the public who assisted and supported the emergency services, and recognise the professionalism, coordination and commitment shown by all agencies during a prolonged and demanding response. We’d also like to acknowledge the dedication of our volunteers, who spent many hours at sea in challenging conditions, and all those who supported back at the stations.
This is a very tragic incident and our thoughts are with the families, friends and all those impacted.
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.