Hartlepool RNLI and Coastguard called out to Seaton Carew after silver balloons are mistaken for a hang glider

Teams from Hartlepool RNLI and Hartlepool Coastguard were paged by the Humber Coastguard shortly after 7.30pm on Tuesday, April 13 after a member of the public thought they had seen a hang glider enter the water.

Four RNLI volunteers launched the inshore lifeboat and arrived at the scene just off Seaton Carew, opposite the Staincliffe Hotel, a few minutes later where they discovered some large half-inflated silver letter balloons in the water.

Upon making the discovery, rescue crews were satisfied that no one was in any danger and were all stood down.

Despite the mistake, ILB helm Ken Hay commented that the call to the coastguard was made in good faith and finding the balloons brought the operation to a quick end.

He said: “The initial call to the Coastguard was made with good intent and finding the object quickly brought the incident to a safe and satisfactory end.”

A spokesperson for the Hartlepool Coastguard added: “We were paged by Humber Coastguard to reports of a possible glider/kite surfer maybe needing assistance in the water at Seaton Carew opposite the Staincliffe Hotel.

“Upon arrival on scene a object was spotted in the water.

"We directed Hartlepool RNLI into the position of the item who discovered it to be a set of balloons that was floating in the water, with no one appearing to be in danger we were stood down.”

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