Blyth Lifeboat Station

17/07/2010 10:45 *LAUNCH*

Date - Saturday, July 17th 2010
Launch Time - 10:45
Incident - Blyth’s inshore lifeboat was requested to launch by HM Coastguard following a distress call from the vessel “Apache” reported to be 1 mile from seaton sluice and suffering machanical failure. The Lifeboat was launched and quickly located “Apache” and her 2 crew approximatly 2 miles east of Seaton Sluice harbour.

Once on the scene and it was established that the 2 crew were safe and well the lifeboat took “Apache” under tow back to Blyth Harbour as the tidal harbour at Seaton Sluice was now drying out quickly.

The tow took approximatly 1 hour and on completion “Apache” was met by Blyth Coastguard mobile unit in the South Harbour, Port of Blyth.

The lifeboat teen returned to station and was ready for service again by 12:50. 

Blyth’s Lifeboat Operations Manager on speaking to the crew of the “Apache” was told that ‘they were thankful and relieved to see the RNLI come to their aid’

14/07/2010 19:58 *LAUNCH*

Date - Wednesday, July 14th 2010
Launch Time - 19:58
Incident - At 19.58 hours on 14th July 2010, Exactly 12 hours since its previous launch, Blyth’s inshore Lifeboat was called out by HM Coastguard to search in Cambois Bay near the mouth of the River Wansbek after four persons and kayaks had been reported to be in the sea.
 
The inshore Lifeboat was launched at 20.05 hours and reached the scene at 20.10 hours. For the second time that day Blyth lifeboat joined with the Newbiggin lifeboat to rescue the four persons. When the four persons were safe ashore and the kayaks were not a hazard to navigation the Lifeboats returned to station. 
 
Blyth lifeboat was ready for service again at 21.20 hours.
 
Blyth Station Operations Manager John Scott said ‘The sea conditions at the mouth of the River Wansbeck were not really suitable for kayaking and the persons lives could have be in danger. The rescue was successful because the training of both RNLI crews involved enabled them to work together professionally’.

14/07/2010 07:58 *LAUNCH*

Date - Wednesday, July 14th 2010
Launch Time - 07:58
Incident - Blyth Inshore Lifeboat was called out by HM Coastguard at 07.58hours 14th July 2010 to search Blyth Bay south of the Port of Blyth after HM Coastguard received a ‘May Day’, call. A more precise location was difficult to pinpoint due to communication with caller being lost.
 
The Inshore Lifeboat was launched at 08.07 hours and commenced searching the bay at 08.10 hours, the crew of the Lifeboat carried out the search as directed by HM Coastguard. As the search continued Blyth lifeboat was joined by lifeboats from Tynemouth and Newbiggin.
 
The conditions were not good and the search was made in rough seas and poor visibility. The extensive search by the RNLI lifeboats had not found any casualty and at 09.20 hours when HM Coastguard called off the search and the lifeboats returned to station.
 
The Blyth Station Operations Manager John Scott said ‘The search was carried out in poor visibility and the training of the crews of the RNLI lifeboats enabled them to work together professionally ’.

Open Day 2010 - Final Report & Thanks

On Sunday 11th July 2010 the Mayor of Blyth, Councillor Alisdair Gibbs-Barton was welcomed by the RNLI Blyth Branch Chairman Dr R Carr.
 
The Chairman Dr Carr invited Alisdair Gibbs-Barton to open the event.  The Mayor Blyth, Alisdair Gibbs- Barton said, ‘It is an honour to Open the RNLI Blyth Station Open Day. The Station has a long history of saving lives at sea and the Lifeboat crew have saved many lives, including crews of vessels, fishermen, swimmers and others using the sea for recreation. These brave men receive no Government funding, and rely on our generosity at events like this, please give generously at today’s stalls and enjoy your day’.
 
The Chairmen escorted the Mayor as they toured the stalls and the other activities including face painting and boat trips.
 
After visiting the stalls and other activities, the Mayor was invited by the Coxswain of the Tynemouth RNLI Lifeboat ‘Spirit of Northumberland’ to see over the lifeboat and to sail out into Blyth Bay. The ‘Spirit of Northumberland’ was escorted by the RNLI Lifeboats from Blyth, and Cullercoats whilst at sea Alisdair Gibbs-Barton saw the various lifeboats working together in the strong winds.
 
The work of the Ladies Guild and the Branch has raised £3,841 and both the Guild and the Branch express thanks for the support they have received.
 
It is uncertain if it was the strong winds to blame but this year a watch and a pair of glasses were lost. The watch was returned to its owner but to date the owner of the glasses has not reclaimed them.
 
Finally, a big Thank You to the many firms and organisations that donated prizes. All the prizes have been claimed.

12/07/2010 17:37 *LAUNCH*

Date - Monday, July 12th 2010
Launch Time - 17:37
Incident - Blyth Lifeboat was called out by HM Coastguard at 17:37 to assist the Police after a person was reported to be in distress at the Dun Cow Quay, Port of Blyth.
 
The Lifeboat was launched at 17.42 hours, was at the scene at 17.43 hours and stood by awaiting further instructions of any action to be taken. The Police were able to make sure the person was safe at 19.00 hours and lifeboat then returned to station.

Open Day 2010 - Pictures

Below are some pictures of open day 2010, thanks to Gillian Pearson & Christine Fitch.

Click  a thumbnail for a larger version of the image.

More pictures to follow, if you have any you’d be happy for us to use please send them to info@blythlifeboat.co.uk

Blyth’s inshore D-Class (IB1) Lifeboat “Jennie B”

Visitors boarding one of the river trip boats 

Blyth’s D Class (IB1) & Cullercoats Atlantic 85 Lifeboats heading out to sea 

Blyth Lifeboat - quick crew change

Blyth, Cullercoats & Tynemouth lifeboats in Blyth Harbour

Blyth Lifeboat follows Tynemouth Lifeboat out to sea

Cullercoats Lifeboat arrives and prepares to tie up

Blyth Lifeboat near Dunn Cow Quay

Kev clearing up

Open Day 2010 - Prize Draw Results

Prize Draw for Open Day 2010 results.

For prize claims please contact the ticket seller or Blyth Lifeboat Station on 01670  352 201

11/07/2010 12:06 *LAUNCH*

Date - Sunday, July 11th 2010
Launch Time - 12:06
Incident - Whilst preparing for the stations annual open day event the crew of Blyth lifeboat were requested to launch to reports of a jet ski which appeared to have lost power and was being driven out to sea by an offshore wind directly off shore from the gunnery musuem, South Beach, Blyth.

The crew who were already at the station immediatly launched the inshore lifeboat and headed for the scene. Upon arrival they discovered one jet ski who had suffered a complete engine failure and two others standing by.

Blyth coastguard mobile unit who had just arrived at the lifeboat station in support of the open day event were also requested to attend.

The rider of the jet ski was found to be safe and well so was taken on board whilst a tow was rigged by the lifeboat crew. The jet ski and its rider were then returned to Blyth beach from where they had launched.

The lifeboat then returned to station at 12:45, just in time for the beginning of the open day event.

05/07/2010 21:19 *LAUNCH*

Date - Monday, July 5th 2010
Launch Time - 21:19
Incident - Blyth Lifeboat was called out by HM Coastguard at 21.19 hours 5th July 2010 after a person was reported to be in the River Blyth at the Dun Cow Quay, Port of Blyth.
 
The Lifeboat was launched at 21.26 hours and was at the scene at 21.27 hours. On reaching the scene the lifeboat crew found that the person had regained the quay ladder. The person was then helped ashore and taken in to the care of Paramedics arriving a few minutes later.
 
The lifeboat crew, having checked that the person was ashore and safe, then returned to station and were ready for service again at 21.55 hours.

01/07/2010 16:36 *LAUNCH*

Date - Thursday, July 1st 2010
Launch Time - 16:36
Incident - Blyth Lifeboat was called out by HM Coastguard at 16.36 hours 1st July 2010 to assist the Police after a person was reported to be in distress at the Dun Cow Quay, Port of Blyth.
 
The Lifeboat was launched at 16.40 hours, on scene at 16.41 hours and stood by awaiting further instructions of any action to be taken. The Police were able to make sure the person was safe by 17.42 hours.

The Lifeboat then returned to station and was ready for service at 18.00 hours.
 
The Blyth Lifeboat Station Operations Manager John Scott said ‘The response to the call out was efficient and the lifeboat crew worked professionally with the Police’.