Storm Arwen: RNLI crew battles seas off Scottish coast

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Tynemouth RNLI was dispatched to rescue a fishing boat after it broke down 70 miles from the shore on Saturday night. But the northeastern emergency service was left fighting with Storm Arwen after the Met Office issued several weather warnings for snow and 80mph winds. The fishermen were successfully rescued during the 18-hour mission with one of the six men being taken to hospital.

Tynemouth RNLI was alerted to a broken-down fishing boat which prompted a rescue mission.

Emergency services reached the boat just after 1am which was then towed back to North Shields.

The return journey took 14 hours as footage showed the terrible conditions the RNLI had to face.

According to Chronicle Live, the rescue team were treated to roast potatoes and beef sandwiches from a local pub after the mission.

Tynemouth RNLI said: “Tynemouth all-weather lifeboat, Osier, was paged to assist a fishing vessel that had broken down approximately 70 miles from the Tyne.

“The lifeboat launched with six crew at 8.45pm, battling through still very heavy seas of up to six-metre-high waves, even with the worst of the storm subsided.

“The lifeboat took four and a half hours to reach the casualty and was able to establish a tow back to North Shields at 1.15am.

“The crew then hunkered in for the remaining 14-hour slow trip back.

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“The lifeboat arrived back into the Tyne at 3.07pm and brought the casualty back alongside the fish quay.”

A spokesman from Tynemouth RNLI added: “Our lifeboats are built for challenges like this and I’m glad to say that our Severn class lifeboat didn’t miss a step.

“After over 18 hours at sea, our crews were a little tired and bruised but would do it all again if they were asked to.

“The fishing vessel had all the correct equipment and the skipper knew what he was doing but just came undone with an engine fault.

‘We appreciate it’s an extra difficult time for our families when crew are called out during a storm for a prolonged period of time and we as a crew thank them for their understanding.”

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The Met Office issued yellow and amber weather warnings over the weekend which saw the north of England and Scotland see the worst of Storm Arwen.

The public was warned there was a risk to life with three people confirmed as dead as a result of the strong weather.

Two of the deaths were the result of a falling tree striking them.

In Northumberland, winds reached 98mph and around 120 lorries were stuck in the snow on the M62.

On Friday night, the UK’s highest pub, the Tan Hill Inn, was snowed in and trapped the revellers inside.

Guests stayed in the pub for several days after cars were unable to drive off after the roads became dangerous to drive on.

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