Berwick-upon-Tweed RNLI at the ready twice in one day

The first page from HM Coastguard was at 11.38 am, where the lifeboat Crew were tasked to assemble then launch the D class lifeboat the Glenis Joan Felstead, with the request to assist windsurfers who were reported to be struggling in the sea off the Berwick-upon-Tweed Pier.

At the helm Michael Avril, with crew members Michael Percy and Christi Avril, made haste up the estuary to the reported location. The windsurfers were spotted to the right of the estuary bay and were making their way to Spittal beach.

On arrival the crew found that the two windsurfers turned out to be both fine and required no further assistance.

The boat returned to the lifeboat station and had just finished being made ready for service when the pagers went off again at 12.38pm.

This time HM Coastguard requested the launch of the D class lifeboat again for assistance to a report coming in that a kayaker was in trouble in the same place as previously reported.

The crew this time were Helm Michael Avril, crew Michael Percy and James Bird.

On arrival it was discovered to be the same two people, on a paddle board and on a windsurfing board, who again required no help or assistance.

The crew were then asked to do a search around the area just to double check that there was in fact no other person in trouble.

Conditions were sea state slight, with a falling tide, force 3 west south west wind.

On both occasions lifeboat station crew had the Atlantic 85 the Penny J at the ready should it be needed to launch.

In attendance were also Berwick-upon-Tweed HM Coastguard.

The lifeboat then returned to the lifeboat station and was made ready for service again.

Both alarms were raised by concerned members of the public making 999 calls on what appeared to be people to be struggling against the sea conditions.

Thankfully on both occasions no assistance was required and the two people involved were happy and well equipped for their activities on the water and had been admiring the dolphins playing in the bay.

Should you ever suspect some one is in danger in the water do not hesitate to dial 999 and ask for the HM Coastguard.

These shouts were fortunately both a false alarm but with good intent.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Hazel Bettison, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI North and East, [email protected]

Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for North East and East England, 07824 518641, [email protected]

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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