The conditions were some of the toughest Bridlington rescue crews faced in 2025
Bridlington RNLI volunteers launch into Storm Amy on the all-weather lifeboat ‘Antony Patrick Jones’(Image: RNLI/Mike Milner)
A stormy rescue carried out by Bridlington RNLI volunteer crew in gale-force winds will hit TV screens across the country in BBC documentary series Saving Lives at Sea. The rescue was carried out during Storm Amy in October 2025 and involved RNLI and Coastguard crews from up and down the Yorkshire coast helping the same vessel twice over the stormy weekend.
Volunteers dealt with challenging conditions on 3 and 4 October 2025, when crews from Bridlington, Scarborough and Humber RNLI lifeboat stations, alongside HM Coastguard and other vessels in the area, took part in the response during one of the most severe storms of the year. Bridlington RNLI said the conditions were some of the toughest its crews faced last year.
The incident involved a fishing vessel that had lost power and was stranded 13 nautical miles off the coast of Bridlington. Bridlington’s RNLI crew was tasked with helping Scarborough RNLI tow the stranded vessel.
The volunteers of the Bridlington ALB Anthony Patrick Jones made steady progress in gale force winds and rough seas. Once it reached the two vessels it attempted to tow the boat to Grimsby, but towing the 130-tonne boat in such challenging conditions left the boats travelling at a snail’s pace. Eventually the boat was towed to Scarborough.
Just after 12pm the following day, HM Coastguard requested the volunteer crew of the Bridlington RNLI to launch once again. The tug from the previous day’s call out requested assistance as both the tug and the original casualty vessel were making no forward progress off Flamborough Head.
By 12.51pm the Bridlington RNLI ALB had been launched and made best speed in a freshening wind and choppy sea to reach the casualties by 1.19pm, where it took the fishing vessel under tow. The BBC series gives a behind-the-scenes look at RNLI lifesaving operations around the UK and highlights the skill, teamwork and commitment required to rescue those in difficulty at sea.
Bridlington RNLI volunteer press officer Mike Milner said: “We are proud that the dedication and commitment of our volunteer crew will be showcased on Saving Lives at Sea . The programme highlights the realities of lifesaving at sea and the challenges our volunteer crews and partner agencies face when responding in difficult weather conditions.
“We hope it provides viewers with a greater understanding of the RNLI’s vital work and the difference our volunteers make in saving lives.” The episode will air on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer on Wednesday 13 October at 8pm.
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