Emergency throwlines on the Newcastle Quayside are life-saving equipment that thousands of people walk past daily. Knowing how to use them could save a life. Since 2023, throwlines have replaced the old life rings, partly because some rings were stolen. A joint effort by Newcastle City Council, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, and Northumbria Police has installed 23 throwline stations along the River Tyne.
Where are the throwlines located?
The equipment spans an area from St Peter's Basin to past the Redheugh Bridge. The new throwlines are more secure than the old rings, requiring a specific process to access them. They should only be used in a genuine emergency.
Step-by-step guide to using a throwline
- Call 999 and ask for the fire service.
- The call handler asks for your location. Each station shows a partial postcode and a What3Words code.
- If the handler confirms it is a real emergency, they give you the code to open the lockbox.
- Open the box and remove the throwline bag.
- Pull open the neck of the bag.
- Grab the open end of the bag with your throwing hand and hold the rope firmly with your other hand.
- Throw the line into the water, aiming as close as possible to the person in trouble. Keep hold of the rope's end.
- Do not enter the water or lean over any barriers. Your safety comes first.
The throwline helps the person stay afloat until emergency services arrive. For more information on the Stay Water Safe campaign, visit the ChronicleLive website.
