TWO YOUTHS SAVED—FOUR BOATS ESCORTED Tynemouth, Northumberland. At 11.20 on the morning of Sunday, the 29th September, 1963, the coxswain told the honorary secretary that a small boat was in trouble off the river Tyne. This was confirmed by the coastguard and at 11.35 the life-boat Tynesider was launched.

There was a strong westerly wind and a moderate sea. It was two hours before high water. On reaching the bar the coxswain found that the boat had been taken in tow by a fishing coble, but that a number of other small boats were having difficulty in making harbour due to the freshening wind. After escorting two rowing boats into the harbour the life-boat searched an area off the river for other craft and escorted a motor boat in. Enquiries were then made of the South Shields motor boat club and the club reported that a 14-foot boat with two youths on board had not returned. They were last seen fishing about a mile east of the piers. The lifeboat searched at sea while the police searched along the riverside in case the boat had returned unnoticed. The lifeboat had steamed seven miles along the estimated course of the drifting boat when she was sighted at 2.5. The two youths were taken on board the lifeboat and the boat taken in tow. On approaching the harbour the life-boat was signalled by the coastguard that another small boat appeared in difficulties half a mile north of the harbour.

This boat was also escorted to harbour.

The life-boat finally returned to her station at 3.50..