Lifeboat call out during Seahouses RNLI annual fete

Saturday 25 May 2024

On Saturday 25 May 2024, Seahouses RNLI held their annual fundraising Lifeboat Fete.

Starting at 10am, there were a variety of stalls including RNLI souvenirs and musical entertainment from Alnwick AllStars Vocal Group choir, which attracted a lot of engaged onlookers.

Refreshments were available in the boathouse, with lifeboat crew manning some of the entertainment stalls including raffles and a tombola. A variety of local craft stalls were also on view in the boathouse and on the harbour, and Slaters Funfair provided rides and amusements.

Both of Seahouses RNLI lifeboats launched at 2pm and were joined by Berwick-upon-Tweed RNLI's Atlantic 85 lifeboat. All three lifeboats were then put through their paces outside of the harbour, while the visitors looked on.

Just five minutes into the three lifeboats being on the water, at approximately 2.35pm, an emergency call came in from HM Coastguard concerning a casualty on paddleboard in difficulty at Holy Island. Berwick's Atlantic lifeboat was tasked and after a brief search, the casualty and paddleboard were located and brought back to Seahouses Lifeboat Station.

The casualty was very cold and shivering, having been in the water for some time. They were given a warm drink in the lifeboat station. The local Coastguards Rescue Team were on scene and monitored their condition until the arrival of an ambulance. Thankfully the casualty was recovering well and did not require any further medical assistance. They were joined by their friends who travelled to the station to collect them.

Ian Clayton, Seahouses Lifeboat Press Officer said: 'The day was a great success and enjoyed by the crowds of visitors and locals who supported the event. The call out showed that our RNLI lifeboat volunteers really can be called upon at any given moment to go and save lives at sea.

'Our fellow crew from Berwick Lifeboat Station did a great job in quickly locating the casualty. That's why it's so important to call 999 if you see someone in trouble in the sea, as seconds can be critical in saving a life. We are glad that we could bring the casualty back to safety.'

Seahouses and Berwick Lifeboats displaying to the crowds

Berwick Lifeboat landing the paddleboarder at Seahouses, into care of the Coastguards

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.

Lifeboat call out during Seahouses RNLI annual fete

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