Rescue of a family cut off by the tide at Sharpness Point, Tynemouth

14th September 2007 - 16.20hrs

Rescue of a family cut off by the tide at Sharpness Point, Tynemouth

HM Coastguard paged the Brigade after receiving a report of a family of three, including a young girl, trapped on rocks off Sharpness Point, Tynemouth. Brigade members arrived on scene and kept a watch over the family who, while being in no immediate danger, were facing a two hour wait in chilly conditions waiting for the tide to drop before they could safely walk back to the shore. The decision was made for the family to be rescued via lifeboat and Tynemouth RNLI All-Weather and Cullercoats Inshore Lifeboat were tasked to the scene. The All-Weather Lifeboat arrived on scene and launched its Y-Class Lifeboat which is kept onboard the boat. The Y-boat reached the family and recovered them to the larger vessel before they were returned to Tynemouth Lifeboat Station.

View of the family who were totally cut off from the mainland!

Although close to the land, the family rightly chose to stay on the rocks as entering the water would have been dangerous.

Help on the horizon as Tynemouth RNLI All-Weather Lifeboat steam to the scene.

The family look on as the Lifeboat arrives.

Lifeboat and Family.

Lifeboat again.

The All-Weather Lifeboat launches it's Y-Class Boat which is kept on it's roof for situations exactly like the one they faced in this incident.

Cullercoats RNLI Inshore Lifeboat also approach the scene to assist the Tynemouth Crew if required.

The Family climb into the Y-Boat.

With all three recovered, the Y-Boat prepares to return to it's Mothercraft.

Cullercoats Lifeboat have one final inspection of the scene before all units returned to the station and the family were reunited with dry land.

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