An elderly solo sailor has been rescued after reportedly spending 45 days at sea, when his vessel ran aground at King Edward's Bay in Tynemouth, north-east England. The incident unfolded on Wednesday evening, prompting a multi-agency response including RNLI lifeboats, coastguard teams, armed police, and an Army bomb disposal unit.
The sailor was brought ashore by RNLI volunteers after two lifeboats were dispatched following reports of a boat drifting dangerously close to rocks around 8pm. James Waters, helm of the Tynemouth inshore lifeboat, said his crew was training nearby and diverted to the scene. They managed to board the stricken vessel and assist the man onto the lifeboat as it ran aground at the south end of the bay.
The RNLI confirmed that the sailor, who was in need of medical assistance, had reportedly been at sea for 45 days. With the vessel taking on water and pitching erratically, crew members cut away guard rails to extract the casualty. He was transferred to the lifeboat and handed over to paramedics at Cullercoats.
Armed police and an Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team were also called after concerns were raised about items found aboard the sailing boat. A Ministry of Defence spokesperson confirmed that black powder was recovered and returned to EOD barracks. The grounded vessel remained anchored in the bay on Thursday morning.
Mr Waters praised the close working relationship between the RNLI, coastguard, and ambulance service, which ensured the casualty was brought safely ashore and received the necessary medical attention. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency confirmed that the vessel has been secured.
