Newbiggin RNLI assist drifting fishing boat

The volunteer crew were at sea for their regular training session when a 'Pan Pan' distress signal was relayed by Humber Coastguard.The 10m fishing vessel with two persons on board had been operating a few miles out from Blyth when their vessel suffered engine failure. With a strong offshore wind their drift out to sea meant assistance from another vessel was the only option.

Newbiggin’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat Richard Wake Burdon, with four volunteer crew on board, diverted from their training tasks and quickly located the casualty. Once a tow was established a slow transit was made back to the safety of Blyth harbour. With no further assistance required the lifeboat headed back out to sea to complete their training programme.

Mechanical failure is the single biggest cause of rescue call outs to sailing vessels and motorboats, accounting for nearly 20% of all our lifeboat launches.

The RNLI have put together some great tips and a downloadable engine safety checklist that can be found using this link - Yacht Sailing And Motorboating - Boating Safety Advice From The RNLI

Further safety checklists when out at sea include:

• Always wear an appropriate lifejacket.
• Always carry a means of calling and signalling for help.
• Ensure there is an emergency action plan in place, and everybody has an onboard briefing (in particular on the location and use of the safety equipment, including the spare kill cord for powerboats).
• Get the right level of training for your craft.
• Always check the weather and tide times.
• Make sure someone ashore knows where you are going and who to call if you don't return on time.
• Always drive your boat at a speed that is appropriate to the weather conditions and to the environment you are operating in.

Newbiggin RNLI is based at Sandridge, Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland. The station was established in 1851 and currently operates an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Richard Wake Burdon. This year, 2026, is our 175th year of saving lives at sea, an anniversary where we reflect on the incredible dedication of our volunteers, past and present and the incredible support we receive from our community and beyond - all of this has made our 175 year journey possible.

If you would like to find out more about Newbiggin lifeboat station, its volunteers and its heritage then please look at the local website.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Richard Martin, 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.

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.