North East RNLI crews gearing up for busy season after 355 launches last year
The RNLI says crews saved nine lives and helped 168 others
The RNLI says crews in the North East and Teesside are expecting to be busier than ever as more people choose to holiday in the UK.
New stats show that the RNLI lifeboat crews launched 355 times along the North East coast last year.
The nine lifeboat stations saved nine lives and aided a further 168 people along the coast between Berwick-on-Tweed and Hartlepool.
Among the busiest stations were Tynemouth RNLI which launched 68 times and aided 24 people and saved 2 lives.
In addition to saving lives, the RNLI launches to save animals and prevent animal owners from putting themselves at risk.
The RNLI data shows the high demand on lifeboat crews across the charity’s stations along the coast.
In summer periods it also provided lifeguards along popular beaches to ensure the safety of the public.
In total across the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands the RNLI last launched 9,058 times in 2025, helped 8,290 people and saved 272 lives.
Head of RNLI North and East region Rebecca Felton said: "Every year the RNLI performs a vital role in keeping the coast safe – and last year was no different. We are proud to have been able to help this many people and save lives.
"But none of this would exist without the incredible support we receive from the public. The RNLI is primarily a voluntary organisation and it is only with the generous donations from the public that we are able to keep this work going.
‘‘Taking part in the Mayday Mile helps ensure our lifeboat crews can continue to reach people when it matters most."
Whether you choose to walk, jog, hop or skip, a mile every day in May will help raise vital funds for RNLI lifesavers, so that they can continue to keep people safe at sea.
To sign up for the Mayday Mile, or to make a donation in support of the RNLI’s lifesavers, visit the RNLI website.