A busy night for Eyemouth RNLI volunteers, with two long shouts

Eyemouth's all-weather lifeboat was launched in very challenging conditions on 28^th November 2023 at 5pm to assist a fishing boat with a fouled propeller.

The Shannon class lifeboat 'Helen Hastings' was tasked by HM Coastguard to standby the stricken boat, positioned about 7 miles east of Eyemouth, until another fishing boat, “Aquarius” could reach it and set up a tow.

However, due to the poor weather conditions of strong winds and 4 metre waves, it was decided that the safest option was for the Eyemouth lifeboat to tow the fishing vessel north towards the “Aquarius”, who then took over the tow.

Dunbar RNLI Trent class lifeboat was also tasked to escort the “Aquarius” due to the rough seas, but after the tow lines between the fishing boats had parted several times the Dunbar volunteers then took over the tow at 4.45am.

Meanwhile, the Eyemouth crew headed home, arriving back after a very heavy 5 hours in the challenging conditions.

While the volunteers were still at the lifeboat another request came through from HM Coastguard, to assist Berwick-upon-Tweed RNLI crew with a search for a missing person.

The search was carried out by the volunteers from both stations along the coastline but was hampered by the poor weather and darkness. Both crews were stood down and the Eyemouth volunteers returned to Eyemouth at 2am Wednesday morning. The missing person was found safe and well the next day.

The Dunbar lifeboat was in action until 6.30am when, meeting at the Isle of May, it could hand over the tow to Anstruther RNLI lifeboat. The Dunbar boat was finally berthed back at Torness by 8am on Wednesday morning.

Notes to editors

• Eyemouth lifeboat station has been operating since 1876. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/eyemouth-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

Wendy Lorimer, Lifeboat Press Officer, 07946 650114, [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

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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