Search for missing paddleboarder sparks 'very busy day' for Seahouses RNLI
Volunteers at Seahouses RNLI Lifeboat Station had one of their busiest days of the summer on Saturday, responding to two emergency call-outs while also treating members of the public who needed first aid.
The action began at 4.12pm when the station's D-Class inshore lifeboat was launched following reports of a paddleboarder being swept out to sea off Bamburgh Beach.
The volunteer crew made best speed to the last reported location after being tasked by HM Coastguard, while Seahouses Coastguard Rescue Team also attended the incident.
A thorough search of the area was carried out using local knowledge and established search and rescue patterns. During the search, an object spotted in the water was initially thought to be the missing paddleboarder but turned out to be a swimming pool noodle.
Following extensive searches and updates from the lifeboat crew, the incident was concluded as a false alarm with good intent and the crew returned to station.
However, there was little chance to catch their breath.
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While the lifeboat was away, shore crew dealt with two separate first aid incidents at the station. One involved a woman who suffered cuts to her arm and wrist after falling near the harbour, while the second involved a child with a nosebleed.
Thanks to the casualty care training held by many RNLI volunteers, both patients were treated at the station.
Later that evening, at 7.06pm, the station's relief Shannon-class all-weather lifeboat was launched to assist neighbouring Craster RNLI after a 20-foot sailing yacht became entangled in a marker line off Beadnell Bay.
The yacht, carrying four people, had been unable to free itself despite attempts by its crew and the crew of Craster's inshore lifeboat.
After arriving on scene, Seahouses Coxswain Craig and his crew boarded the yacht to assess how the line had become caught. The sailors had been attempting to free the vessel themselves for several hours and were becoming fatigued.
The RNLI crew successfully manoeuvred the yacht to create enough slack for the line to be cut. However, the rope remained fouled around the propeller and keel, making it unsafe for the vessel to continue under its own power.
Following a careful risk assessment, the decision was made to tow the yacht safely back to Seahouses Harbour, arriving shortly before 10pm.
The yacht was secured in the harbour overnight, with its crew planning to inspect the vessel before continuing their journey. They thanked the RNLI crews for their assistance.
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Volunteer crew member Andrew, who attended both incidents, praised the yacht's crew for being well prepared.
"It was great to see the crew of the sailing yacht were all kitted out with lifejackets, they had VHF and mobile phones and did the right thing by calling for help," he said.
"It's great to work seamlessly with our flanking stations' crews, with the added bonus of the incredible sunset."
After returning to station, both lifeboats were cleaned, refuelled and made ready for the next emergency call.
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