RNLI Crews Brave 50mph Winds in Search Off Flamborough Head

Monday 26th October 2026

By Bridlington Gold Radio Editor

Bridlington RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat Antony Patrick Jones launching into stormy seas during the Storm Boelo callout. Photo credit: RNLI/Mike Milner

Volunteer crews from Bridlington and Scarborough RNLI launched into fierce conditions on Sunday 25th October after HM Coastguard received an emergency alert from an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) approximately 90 miles off Flamborough Head.

Both lifeboat stations were tasked at 8.30am following the beacon’s activation — a signal that automatically alerts search and rescue services when a vessel or person is in danger at sea. Once triggered, an EPIRB transmits a distress signal to a global network, enabling rescuers to pinpoint the location of those potentially in peril.

Bridlington RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat Antony Patrick Jones launched at 9.08am with a volunteer crew of five, while Scarborough RNLI’s Frederick William Plaxton launched with six crew members. Both lifeboats made best speed toward the reported position as winds exceeded 50mph and waves reached four metres, working through Force 7 near-gale conditions.

An HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter was also deployed and conducted an aerial search of the area. After an extensive sweep revealed no vessel, debris or signs of distress, the search was stood down. Both RNLI lifeboats returned safely to their stations, where crews recovered, washed down and prepared the boats for further service.

Bridlington RNLI Volunteer Launch Authority Josh Colley, on duty for the first time in his qualified role, said: “This was my first shout as a qualified Launch Authority and certainly a memorable one. Despite the challenging conditions brought by Storm Boelo, our volunteer crew responded quickly and professionally. Whenever an emergency beacon is activated, we treat it as a genuine distress situation and launch immediately to provide assistance. Thankfully, on this occasion, nothing was found and all crews were able to return safely. I’d like to thank the volunteers from both Bridlington and Scarborough RNLI, along with HM Coastguard, for their professionalism and teamwork throughout the incident.”

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