RNLI Cullercoats warns of dangers of cold water after first call out of the year

The RNLI has warned of the dangers of cold water after a person was seen entering the water in Cullercoats.

In their first call of 2025, Cullercoats RNLI went out to the casualty after they were seen by onlookers entering into the water from the pier for a swim on January 2.

The RNLI said this was “dangerous in current conditions”. The alarm was raised by concerned members of the public and a lifeboat was on scene within minutes, along with Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade.

The member of the public who entered the water self-recovered and the crews were stood down.

Cullercoats Lifeboat Operations Manager, Kay Heslop, said: “We’d like to take this opportunity to remind people of the dangers of cold water and of entering the sea in rough weather without adequate preparation or equipment. The casualty in this case was able to get themselves to safety but the lifeboat crew were on hand and prepared to assist if required.”

Cullercoats RNLI also urged members of the public to avoid parking on the steep bank outside the lifeboat station, blocking access to the boathouse and preventing the immediate launch of the lifeboat.

Kay Heslop added: “The minutes it takes to locate a vehicle owner and have them move their car to allow the lifeboat to launch can mean the difference between life and death for someone in distress in the water.”

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