Donate now
Lifeboat launches to drifting boat
In the early evening darkness volunteers form Newbiggin were tasked to reports of a drifting boat at the river estuary.
A distress call from the fishing boat that was drifting close to the shore was received by Humber Coastguard around 4.40pm on Thursday. Newbiggin’s Atlantic 85 B class lifeboat ‘Richard Wake Burdon’ was launched from the beach and quickly proceeded south to the casualty in the Cambois bay area. In the darkness and poor visibility a search for the casualty vessel was begun.
Further details were then received from the Coastguard advising that the casualty had managed to reach its river mooring so the incident was closed. The lifeboat returned to station to be washed down refuelled and made ready for service.
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.