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Staithes and Runswick RNLI launched to report of paddleboarder in difficulty
Volunteer lifeboat crew launched on Monday evening following reports of a paddleboarder believed to be in difficulty near Port Mulgrave.
At 5:26pm on Monday 27 July 2026, HM Coastguard requested the launch of Staithes and Runswick RNLI following reports of a paddleboarder in difficulty near Port Mulgrave. The station's Atlantic 85 lifeboat, B-897 Sheila and Dennis Tongue III, launched shortly afterwards with a volunteer crew on board, arriving on scene at 5:39pm.
A search of the area was carried out by sea and from the shore in conjunction with HM Coastguard officers. Vessels operating in the area were also contacted as part of efforts to establish the location and welfare of the reported paddleboarder.
Despite a thorough search, nothing was found and there was no further information to suggest that anyone was in difficulty. HM Coastguard subsequently stood the search down at 5:52pm.
The lifeboat returned to station at 6:07pm, where the volunteer crew prepared the vessel before continuing with their scheduled Monday evening training exercise.
A spokesperson for Staithes and Runswick RNLI said:
'Thankfully, this incident did not result in anyone requiring assistance. However, it serves as a timely reminder that conditions at sea can change quickly and that anyone taking to the water should ensure they are properly prepared and equipped before setting out.
'Stand-up paddleboarding continues to grow in popularity, and taking a few simple safety precautions can make a significant difference should you find yourself in difficulty.'
The RNLI is encouraging anyone planning to go paddleboarding to remember the following key safety advice:
- Wear a buoyancy aid.
- Carry a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch.
- Use the correct leash for the environment you are paddling in.
- Avoid offshore winds, which can quickly carry you away from the shore.
- Check weather forecasts and tide times before setting out, and remember that conditions can change rapidly.
- Understand the area you are paddling in, including any hazards such as strong tidal currents, which can make paddling difficult and tiring.
- Go with a friend whenever possible so that help is nearby if needed.
- Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.
- Wear suitable clothing for the conditions and time of year.
- If you fall into the water unexpectedly or become separated from your board, remember to Float to Live: tilt your head back with your ears submerged, relax and control your breathing before calling for help or swimming to safety.
Staithes and Runswick RNLI's volunteer crew are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, ready to answer the call to save lives at sea.
Notes to Editors
Staithes and Runswick RNLI lifeboat has been in operation since 1978 with Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboats (ILBs). The present ILB at the station B-897
Sheila and Dennis Tongue III has been on station since 2016.
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact James Stoker, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at: [email protected] or Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager (North and East) on 07824 518641 or, [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789. Richard Grange, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for North East and East England, 07483 112015, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]
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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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