Busy Day for Scarborough RNLI Lifeguards and Lifeboat Crew

Scarborough’s RNLI lifeguards and inshore lifeboat crew were kept busy on Saturday 14 June 2025 as hot temperatures, strong cross-shore winds and busy beaches led to multiple rescue incidents.

At 2.20pm, Humber Coastguard contacted the North Bay lifeguard team after two stand-up paddleboarder's were spotted approximately 400 metres offshore. A rescue watercraft was quickly launched to investigate. On arrival, the senior lifeguard found three people across two paddleboards who had now drifted around 700 metres out to sea.

Given the distance and number of casualties, assistance was requested, and Scarborough RNLI’s inshore lifeboat was launched. The lifeguard team remained on scene to monitor the casualties until Scarborough RNLI inshore lifeboat arrived, before transferring all three on board the inshore lifeboat for a safe return to shore. The rescue watercraft then began recovering the paddleboards.

Enroute back to shore with the two stand-up paddleboards, the coastguard redirected the lifeguards and rescue watercraft to a second incident involving a small, powered dinghy with two people onboard. The vessel had broken down and was being towed by a nearby fishing boat. As the rescue watercraft is not equipped for towing, support from the inshore lifeboat was once again requested.

Working together, the lifeguards and lifeboat crew agreed the best course of action was for the inshore lifeboat to tow the dinghy to safety. Scarborough inshore lifeboat took over the tow to take the dinghy out of the path of danger, and ensured the situation was under control. However, midway through the operation, the lifeboat was re-tasked to an incident in Cayton Bay. The dinghy was safely anchored, and the lifeguards brought the two people on board the rescue watercraft and returned them to shore. Scarborough RNLI later returned to complete the tow of the stricken dinghy.

As the day went on, the lifeguards dealt with two further paddleboard-related incidents and reunited a missing child with their family.

Andrew Jamieson RNLI Lead Lifeguard Supervisor said: ‘It was a remarkably busy day on the beach, with the combination of sunshine and strong offshore winds making conditions challenging. We are pleased that all incidents were resolved safely thanks to the excellent teamwork between the lifeguard unit, inshore lifeboat crew and HM Coastguard. It is a great reminder for anyone heading out on the water to check conditions carefully, wear a buoyancy aid and carry a means of calling for help.’

If you are heading out on the water on your stand-up paddleboard, follow our safety advice:

§ Never take to the water when there is an offshore wind.

§ Always carry a means of calling for help with you.

§ Always wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid.

§ Always wear the correct leash to keep the board attached to you.

And if you spot someone in danger in the water, never try and rescue them yourselves. Always call 999 and alert the coastguard.

RNLI Media contacts Jess Curtis, RNLI and Regional Engagements North and East, Lifeboat Press Officer at Wells: Tel 07483488243 Email: [email protected] contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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