Newbiggin Lifeboat Station 2023

The lifeboat volunteers have been called out a number of times over the year including calls that were cancelled after we arrived at the station. One of the recent calls involved a night rescue to an injured fisherman on the north breakwater here. The lifeboat launched then located the casualty with volunteer casualty care trained crew treating the injuries before the fisherman was carefully extracted from the boulders and into the waiting lifeboat. This successful multi agency rescue included vital support from our partners at Newbiggin Coastguard.

Late today we were tasked by HM Coastguard to reports of a missing person, the last coastal lifeboat call out for 2023 in the UK. However after a brief search the incident was closed and the lifeboat returned to station just in time for the new year!

Training for all volunteers is an essential part of the station operation and these training processes have been continuous over the year both in dry shore based training as well as afloat training in the lifeboat.

Our fundraising ladies have also had an active year with a regular programme of very successful fundraising events. The lifeboat shop opening times have increased over the year as our shop volunteer team expands and with a wider range of sales merchandise available regular customer visits continue.

The Face to Face team have also provided a regular presence on the slipway welcoming the many passers by then giving an insight into our modern voluntary lifeboat service as well as our rich heritage here at Newbiggin.

It is timely as we approach the year end to give a big shout out for our partners and families who support all of our volunteers day and night throughout the year.

For our new year resolution we are looking to further increase our volunteer team here at Newbiggin including lifeboat crew and shore crew. Why not start your 2024 with a visit to the station, our training times are either on a Sunday morning or Tuesday evening where you can see first hand our station and find out what we do. Alternatively if you want to find out more then drop us an email on
[email protected]

All the best for 2024 from the Newbiggin lifeboat volunteers.

For more information please telephone Richard Martin, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Newbiggin on 07980 010544 or [email protected] or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789

If you would like to find out more about Newbiggin lifeboat station, its volunteers and its heritage then take a look at the local website.

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

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.