North Berwick RNLI assist casualties cut off by the tide whilst fishing

North Berwick Coastguard Rescue Team arrived shortly before the lifeboat, refining the original position allowing the lifeboat crew to quickly locate the casualties on a large rocky outcrop called Great Carr, just south of the South Carr Beacon.

The casualties, had been fishing for mackerel when they had noticed the tide had come in behind them, cutting them off from the mainland. They knew the tide times, and initially suggested that they were happy to wait for the tide to recede. However. after discussing that this would likely take over 6 hours as the tide was still flooding, they opted for a lift back to shore with the lifeboat.

Once ashore they were met by members of the North Berwick Coastguard Rescue Team and the lifeboat returned to station.

Tides are chronically misunderstood by the public with findings of nationwide research revealing that around 15% of respondents report being cut off by the tide, or nearly cut off, in their lifetime which equates to 10 million people in the UK and Ireland.

If you're headed out along the coast the RNLI suggest the following safety precautions:

• Before you head out, make sure it's safe. Check the tide tables.
• While you're out, be aware of your surroundings and the tide's direction
• If you get caught out, don't try to wade back, tidal currents can be dangerously strong. Walk to raised ground, call 999 for the Coastguard and await rescue.
• Fishing from rocks? Consider wearing a lifejacket and never go alone.

Notes to editors

• In 2024 RNLI lifeboats from 238 stations across the UK and RoI launched 9,141 times saving 437 lives (alongside RNLI lifeguards), North Berwick launched 28 times, saving 7 lives.
• It cost £1,360 a year to train each crew member in the lifesaving skills they need to answer the call for help
• 97% of the RNLI’s frontline lifesavers are volunteers including over 5,700 lifeboat crew members.
• In 2024 it cost the RNLI £190M to run its charitable lifesaving service, 6 in 10 of the lifeboat launches were funded by generous supporters leaving the RNLI a gift in their will.

RNLI media contacts

Matthew Gibbons, Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, North Berwick, [email protected]
Natasha Rushby, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]
24 hour RNLI Central Press Office, 01202 336789 or email [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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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.