Craster RNLI volunteer crew paged twice within a few hours

At 1.35pm, Craster RNLI volunteer crew was paged by HM Coastguard to launch and assist two paddleboarders who were being blown out to sea in a strong offshore wind.

As the crew prepared the station's D class lifeboat, D-839 James Ballard, further information was received from HM Coastguard that the two people involved had safely self-rescued. The lifeboat was subsequently stood down.

The second service call came at 6:09pm, when the crew was tasked to locate and assist a 23-foot yacht approximately 4.3 miles north of Craster Harbour. HM Coastguard had received a 'Pan-Pan' call over VHF radio reporting that the yacht had become entangled in rope and was unable to make way.

Upon arriving in Beadnell Bay, the charity's D class lifeboat came alongside the yacht. An initial assessment of the four casualties on board was carried out while the crew attempted to assist the stricken vessel.

The yacht had become entangled in rope from local crab and lobster pots and was firmly stuck. The RNLI crew tried a number of methods to safely free the rope from the yacht, but it remained securely entangled.

With the welfare of both the RNLI crew and the casualties on board becoming a priority with the deterioration in the weather, concerns grew as the yacht had now been immobilised for several hours. Fatigue and seasickness of the four aboard the yacht were becoming factors, and one of the casualties reported concerns that the yacht may have been starting to take on water.

Following an assessment of the situation, the ILB Helm requested additional assistance from an all-weather lifeboat. Seahouses RNLI's Shannon class lifeboat was paged at 7:06pm.

Once the Seahouses all-weather lifeboat arrived on scene and took over the incident, Craster RNLI lifeboat returned to station.

Craster RNLI crew member Andy said: ‘It was great to work along side our RNLI flank station and all the casualties aboard the yacht were wearing lifejackets. They did the correct thing by using the VHF to call for help especially after being stuck for several hours before putting out the Pan Pan, the yacht also gave its precise position making it safer and quicker to find.'

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Andrew Cowan, 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]

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.

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