Back to Back Rescues

Today Sunday 11th October 2026 at 1.12pm our pagers sounded requesting an immediate launch of our D-Class Inshore Lifeboat.

Humber Coastguard had received reports from members of the public reporting and adult and child cut off on a sand bank within Budle Bay. Within minutes the lifeboat was launched and making best speed towards the last reported location.

Whilst en route shore based assets from Seahouses & Howick Coastguard Rescue Teams reported that the two casualties only had moments before the sand bank would become fully submerged. Our crew arrived on scene and skilled Helm Tim positioned the boat for the crew to rescue the casualties.

The father and son had become cut off and had tried to make it ashore before realising they were unable to do so and returning to the disappearing sand island to await rescue. Fortunately there were no reported injuries other than being cold and wet, they were handed into the care of colleagues from the Coastguard Rescue Team for further medical assessment and care.

RNLI Volunteer Crew Member David said "these people were incredibly lucky, they didn't have long left before they'd have been forced to enter the water. Once we had dropped them ashore and turned to leave the Bay their island was completely submerged."

THEN........

At 2.58pm just as the crew were finished de-kitting and cleaning the boat making it ready for service.The pagers sounded again!!

Holy Island Causeway, vehicle stranded with two persons on board near to the refuge hut. Our crew and other assets attended from Berwick Coastguard rescue team. Both persons safely taken ashore with no injuries reported.

What an incredible day for our crew, an All Weather Lifeboat exercise launch in the morning followed by two D-Class shouts. However this was a very important day for volunteer crew member Anna as it marked her FIRST & SECOND operational shouts!!

Anna said, "It was fantastic to put into practice all the skills I've learnt and be on service alongside my crew mates. The first rescue was a real race against the tide to save the father and son. The second being a Causeway shout, a regular operation for our station and great to be part of it."

Both of these shouts are a good reminder for people unfamiliar with how quickly and strongly the tides come in along our coastline that a simple walk on the beach can turn into a dangerous situation very quickly Information regarding Holy Island Causeway can be found on our Facebook page.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Ollie Whelan, 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.