Scarborough RNLI crew celebrates Christmas while staying ready to launch
Scarborough RNLI’s volunteer crew balanced festive celebrations with operational readiness this Christmas, taking part in long standing local traditions while remaining prepared to respond whenever the pager sounded.
On Christmas Eve, Wednesday December 24, crew members and their families gathered at Scarborough Yacht Club for the station’s traditional festive buffet. The annual event is a valued opportunity for volunteers, partners, and children to spend time together away from the demands of lifesaving duties.
The children were treated to a special visit from Santa Claus but before he arrived, the familiar sound of the pager cut through the celebrations. An inshore lifeboat crew immediately assembled following reports of a dog in North Bay that had swum out to sea, followed shortly afterwards by its owner.
Volunteers who moments earlier had been enjoying the festivities switched straight into operational mode.
Fortunately, the lifeboat was stood down before it was launched, after it was confirmed that both the dog and its owner had made their own way out of the water and were reported safe and well.
The crew returned to the Yacht Club to rejoin their families, remaining ready for further calls.
On Boxing Day, Friday 26 December, several Scarborough RNLI volunteers took part in the town’s traditional raft race, a popular festive event drawing crowds along the seafront.
True to RNLI form, the crew found themselves assisting others even mid‑race. A fellow race participant became separated from their raft and drifted off course, the RNLI team quickly helped them back to safety gaining help from the participant to complete the race, the RNLI raft still secured an impressive 3rd place overall, earning cheers from spectators.
On Sunday December 28, both Scarborough’s all‑weather lifeboat and inshore lifeboat were launched on exercise as part of ongoing training, ensuring the crew remain fully prepared for the year ahead. The session included navigation, boat handling, and coordinated working between the two lifeboats.
Several members of the shore crew also joined the all‑weather lifeboat for the exercise, giving them the opportunity to experience first‑hand how the vessel operates at sea and how the crew work together during launches and rescues. The training provided valuable insight and strengthened teamwork across the station.
Roger Buxton, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: “Everything we do at Christmas, just like the rest of the year, comes back to the RNLI’s core purpose — saving lives at sea.
“Our volunteers may be enjoying time with their families, but they remain ready to respond the moment the pager sounds.
“The commitment shown by our crew, and the support given by their families, is what keeps this lifesaving service running.
“We’re incredibly proud of the dedication across the station and grateful to everyone who helps us continue the RNLI’s vital work.”
Throughout the festive period, Scarborough RNLI remained fully operational, with volunteers balancing family time, community events, and training while staying prepared to launch at any moment.
Scarborough RNLI reminds anyone visiting the coast this winter to check weather and tide conditions, stay well back from the water’s edge, and in an emergency dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.