RNLI Berwick-upon-Tweed and emergency services at Boxing Day Dip
RNLI Berwick-upon-Tweed along with HM Coastguard and North East Ambulance Services oversaw the annual Boxing Day Dip at 11am at Spittal beach.
This year the crowds were bigger than ever, both with participant swimmers and onlookers.
With a moderate sea state, it took some effort to stay on your feet with the backwash of the waves retreating.
Helmsman Robert Frost said: ‘Knowing the event was taking place but with no single organisation in charge, our volunteer RNLI Crew wanted, like the other emergency services, to make sure we were all on hand in case a swimmer came into difficulty, as the sea can be very dangerous even to the most ardent swimmer.
'Thankfully everything went off without an incident and the brave swimmers raised hopefully a lot of money for their chosen charities.’
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
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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.