Sunderland RNLI rescue two fishermen cut off by the tide

The two men made an emergency ‘999’ telephone call to Coastguards based at Humber Coastguard when they found themselves cut off by the rapidly rising tide and unable to return to the beach.

The charity's D Class inshore lifeboat MyJo was launched at 1.32am into calm sea conditions with a slight swell and good visibility.

About 10 minutes later the lifeboat crew arrived at the scene before assisting the fishermen into the lifeboat. The lifeboat then took them safely back to Seaburn beach where they were met by members of Sunderland Coastguard Rescue Team. The lifeboat then returned to the lifeboat station where they were recovered ready for another service.

RNLI Volunteer Helmsman Paul Nicholson says: ‘thankfully the two fishermen raised the alarm when they did as the rock they were fishing from would have been totally submersed if they had delayed making the emergency 999 call as high tide wasn’t until just before 5am. We would always recommend that people consult a tide timetable and be aware of the tides when taking part in activities along the coast.’

As a registered charity the RNLI relies on voluntary donations and legacies from the public for its income.

Notes to editors

• Sunderland RNLI Lifeboat Station is the oldest continually operational lifeboat in the United Kingdom. It was originally opened in 1800 before being adopted by the RNLI in 1865.

• Sunderland RNLI Lifeboat Station has a profile on Twitter (SunderlandRNLI) and Facebook (RNLI Sunderland) where supporters can keep up to date with station specific activities and news.

• Sunderland RNLI Lifeboat Station operates two inshore type lifeboats: An Atlantic 85 8.3m inflatable capable of 35 knots and a D Class (IB-1) 4.5m inflatable capable of 25 knots.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone:

Paul Nicholson, Sunderland RNLI Press Officer on 07957 494 077 or email - [email protected] or

Andy McGill, Sunderland RNLI Press Officer (Deputy) on 07980 089 622 or email - [email protected]

As an alternative please contact RNLI Headquarters Public Relations on 01202 336000.

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.