Rip current warning after Dunbar RNLI’s lifeboats launch to surfer in difficulty

The surfer – an experienced water user – was dragged away from shore by a powerful rip amid three-metre waves at around 10.30am.

The inshore D class lifeboat David Lauder launched from Dunbar Harbour less than ten minutes after the alarm was raised and was on scene within three minutes, by which time the surfer had managed to get himself to shore at Winterfield Golf Club, after paddling for 40 minutes.

After being satisfied that the surfer was safe and required no further assistance, both the D class and the all-weather lifeboat, John Neville Taylor, which had launched from Torness Power Station, were stood down.

Sam Christopherson, senior instructor at Coast to Coast Surf School said: ‘Surfers and other water users should be aware that the sea can have strong rip currents especially in big swell.

‘If you get stuck in a rip, paddle sideways to escape the current. If you still cannot exit, sit on your board and signal for help from shore. Never ditch your board or try to swim against the current.

‘The independent surfer today who was dragged out in the rip did everything right once they realised they were in trouble – staying calm and signalling for help. They were a long way out, paddling for 40 minutes off the point at Belhaven and, although they managed to get in independently, we would like to thank the RNLI for their help as their RIB (rigid inflatable boat) endured some really big surf to come and help.’

Dunbar RNLI D class helm Adrian Lavery said: ‘We wholeheartedly back the surf school’s safety message. The conditions were very challenging but when we heard someone was in difficulty in the water we got there as quickly as the sea state allowed. The surfer did well to get back to shore and we’re delighted he was none the worse for his ordeal.’

Coastguard teams from Dunbar and North Berwick also attended.

If you see someone in trouble in the water call 999 and as for the Coastguard.

Notes to editors

With photos

· Established in 1808, 16 years before the formation of the RNLI, Dunbar Lifeboat Station is one of the oldest in Scotland and is located on the south side of the mouth of the Firth of Forth.

· Since its formation, its volunteer crews have been honoured with 12 awards for gallantry.

· It operates two lifeboats – the Trent class all-weather lifeboat (ALB) John Neville Taylor, moored at Torness Power Station, and the D-class inshore lifeboat (ILB) David Lauder, which launches from Dunbar Harbour.

· A file photo of Dunbar’s lifeboats can be viewed here.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Douglas Wight, Dunbar RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer [email protected]

Alexander Williams, Dunbar RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [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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