Amble Lifeboat on long distance service

A yacht 85 miles east of Amble with two persons on board had contacted the Coastguard because of an injury to one of her crew.

The coastguard despatched a helicopter to airlift the injured party for hospital care and contacted the Amble RNLI lifeboat station for assistance.

Amble Lifeboat launched at 1.15pm on Thursday 1 August to assist. With moderate sea conditions and a two metre swell with north east winds of force four or five.

On arrival on scene it was determined that the remaining crewman of the yacht had not had sleep for four days so two lifeboat crew were transferred to the casualty and the yacht taken in tow for Amble.

On arrival back at Amble at 04.30am 2 August the yacht was berthed in Amble Marina and the Lifeboat prepared ready for sea.

Coxswain David Bell commented that the Shannon class lifeboat is capable of operating up to 100 miles offshore at 25 knots as opposed to Amble’s previous Mersea class boat which was only capable of a 50 mile range.

RNLI Media contacts

For more information please contact Amble RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Rodney Burge on: 01665 798368.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 142,700 lives.

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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.