RNLI support boat washed up on North Tyneside beach after drifting "dangerously close" to rocks
A North Tyneside RNLI team were forced to stop a training session to support a boat on the North Tyneside coast.
Volunteers from Tynemouth’s RNLI were called to King Edward’s Bay in Tynemouth on Wednesday, September 10 after reports of a boat which was drifting close to rocks along the North Tyneside coast.
An RNLI statement says the single person on board claims they had been at sea for 45 days.
The statement says: A crew member from Tynemouth ILB was placed aboard the vessel to carry out an assessment. One person was found on board, who had reportedly been at sea for 45 days and was in need of medical assistance.
“With the vessel taking on water and pitching erratically with the sea conditions, the decision was made to extract the casualty from the vessel.
“The person was then taken to Cullercoats Bay, escorted by Cullercoats lifeboat, where an ambulance had been requested to meet the lifeboat.
“Upon arrival, Tynemouth ILB was driven up the beach to be met by Cullercoats shore crew, Tynemouth and Blyth Coastguard Rescue Teams, and the North East Ambulance Service. The casualty was transferred to Cullercoats boathouse before being handed into the care of paramedics.”
James Waters, Helm on the inshore lifeboat commented: “Today’s incident highlights the close working relationship between RNLI lifeboat crews and our partner agencies.
“Thanks to the swift response and teamwork between Tynemouth and Cullercoats lifeboats, Coastguard teams and the ambulance service, the casualty was brought safely ashore and received the medical attention they needed.”
Images from the RNLI show a boat which has sailed onto the beach at King Edwards Bay.
A spokesperson for North East Ambulance Service said: "We were called to a person unwell on a boat off the coast of Cullercoats Bay shortly before 8.30pm on 10 September.
“We dispatched a double crewed ambulance, rapid response paramedic and a duty officer. Our colleagues at HM Coastguard brought the patient to shore and we transported them to Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital."