Saltburn Smugglers Record Sea Shanties at Staithes and Runswick RNLI station

The recording session, featuring classic shanties like Santiana and Drunken Sailor, along with an original song Across the Ocean, celebrates the region’s rich maritime past and the vital, ongoing work of the RNLI, the charity that saves lives at sea.

Led by Professor of Songwriting Keith Ayling, the group chose the boathouse for its authentic coastal setting, superb acoustics, and deep connection to local seafaring history. The session was made possible thanks to the support of RNLI volunteers, who were on hand throughout the day to facilitate the recording and move the lifeboat out of the boathouse to create space for the performance. The day included the filming of a music video for the Saltburn Smugglers' rendition of Santiana.

Keith Ayling, founder of the Saltburn Smugglers, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to record at the Staithes and Runswick RNLI Boathouse, stating: ‘We wanted to find a venue that was genuinely near the sea and highlighted some of the maritime history that was in the music. We’d seen the Boathouse and knew it would be the perfect venue.

‘The acoustics were superb, and it was a joy to record there. We hope that it helps to increase support for the vital work that the RNLI do on our coastline.’

This connection to maritime heritage is especially fitting, as the Staithes and Runswick RNLI Lifeboat Station has recently been recognised by Historic England as a site of significance. As part of the Missing Pieces Project, the station’s story is being preserved and enriched through public contributions — and now, through music.

The Smugglers’ decision to record in this historic space not only pays tribute to the RNLI’s volunteer lifesavers, but also adds a modern cultural layer to the legacy of a building that has helped protect the coastline for generations. Capturing the spirit of coastal life and helping to raise awareness of the essential work carried out by the charity dedicated to saving lives at sea.

Notes to Editors
Staithes and Runswick RNLI lifeboat has been in operation since 1978 with Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboats (ILBs). The present ILB at the station B-897 Sheila and Dennis Tongue III has been on station since 2016.

Formed just two years ago by Professor of Songwriting, Keith Ayling, the Saltburn Smugglers came together around a shared love of singing and the desire to improve mental health and create new modern shanties on the Yorkshire coast. The last two years have seen them create their own promenade series ‘Shanties on the Shore’ which draws record crowds every summer as Saltburn’s biggest music event as well as concerts to raise money for the RNLI. This summer they are releasing a live EP – recorded live at Staithes and Runswick RNLI's Boathouse.

RNLI media contacts
For further information, please contact James Stoker, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at: [email protected] or Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager (North and East) on 07824 518641 or, [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

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 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok 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.