Lifeboat team 'constantly delivered' in busiest year

RNLI Cullercoats crew Anna Heslop-Latif, Sarah Whitelaw, Karen Pearce and Jane Heslop-Latif

A lifeboat team has recorded its busiest year on record, with callouts including "paddle boarders and kayakers being blown offshore, vessels losing power to open water swimmers in difficulty".

RNLI Cullercoats, in North Tyneside, has responded to 63 callouts in 2025 so far, up from 45 across the whole of last year.

The team said the high figures possibly could be explained by an unseasonably hot spring and dry summer attracting more beach users, paired with people's improved awareness recognising those in distress in the water.

Operations Manager Kay Heslop said she "could not be more proud" of the volunteers who had "constantly delivered".

Sheridan Bowler (R) said being part of the crew "really ties you to the heart of the community"

Ms Heslop said the year had "challenged the crew both in terms of the commitment of their time" and the different callouts they have faced.

"I could not be more proud of what they, as volunteers, have consistently delivered throughout the year", she said.

Operations Manager Kay Heslop said she "could not be more proud" of the volunteers

Sheridan Bowler, lifeboat operations manager at Tynemouth RNLI, said the role "really ties you to the heart of the community, bringing the best out of ordinary people to achieve extraordinary things".

"I love giving back and knowing I'm a small part in something much bigger than myself," she added.

Crew member Karen Pearce said: "Being on RNLI crew feels like standing in the right place, with the right people, for the right reason."

Anna Heslop-Latif, who has been a crew member for 12 years and a helm for four, said her role was "not about being a woman, it's just about being a helm and doing what's needed when we're called to someone's aid".

The crew said the busy year had provided opportunity to share learning experiences

The station, which celebrated launching its first all-female crew in 2022, previously recorded 2024 as its busiest year with 45 callouts.

The 60th callout on 20 October, which coincided with Ms Heslop's 60th birthday, involved a hoax after the crew received reports of a person heard calling for help from the rocks at the south side of the bay.

"We rarely receive hoax calls, thankfully... it's more often that we get a false alarm with good intent," crew member Sarah Whitelaw said.

She added the team "always encouraged anyone who thinks they've seen something to call the coastguard".

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