Members of Bridlington Coastguard Rescue Team have been recognised by the United States military after rescuing an American serviceman who got into difficulty while paddleboarding off Flamborough Head.
The team has received a heartfelt letter of thanks from Colonel John T. Sullivan, Commander of the JIOCEUR Analytic Center at United States European Command, following the rescue on 3 July 2026.
In the letter, dated 13 July 2026, Colonel Sullivan praised the team’s “swift, professional and lifesaving actions” after a United States Navy sailor assigned to his command became stranded while paddleboarding off Flamborough Head.
He wrote: “Your rapid response to rescue a United States Navy sailor assigned to my command, who became stranded while paddleboarding off Flamborough Head, is a testament to the elite training, vigilance and dedication of HM Coastguard and the RNLI. Thanks to the skill and bravery of your rescue crew, our sailor and his wife were brought to safety.”
The senior USAF officer also highlighted the strong relationship between British and American emergency services, adding: “We are incredibly fortunate to operate alongside such outstanding host-nation partners. Your dedication to preserving life at sea strengthens the enduring bond between our nations and our services.”
He concluded by asking for his appreciation to be passed on to the individual crew members involved in the rescue.
Responding to the recognition, Bridlington Coastguard Rescue Team said they were humbled by the message but stressed that their volunteers were simply doing what they are trained to do.
A spokesperson said: “Whilst we are incredibly grateful for the kind words, we would like to stress that our volunteers simply did what they are trained to do. Every call-out is a team effort, and our priority is always the safety and wellbeing of those in need.
“Incidents like this highlight the importance of the close working relationships between all emergency services and rescue organisations, and we are proud to play our part in keeping people safe along our coastline.
“Finally, we’d like to recognise the dedication of our volunteers, who leave their families, jobs and daily lives at a moment’s notice to answer the pager, day or night. Their commitment to serving the public continues to make a real difference.”
Flamborough RNLI also received a similar letter of thanks for its role in the rescue. The incident was particularly significant as it marked only the second operational call-out for the station’s new inshore lifeboat, Forever Yibba, which worked alongside HM Coastguard to bring the casualties safely ashore.
The rescue highlights the close cooperation between HM Coastguard and the RNLI, whose volunteers regularly work together to protect people enjoying the Yorkshire coastline.
The Coastguard is reminding anyone who finds themselves in trouble at the coast, or sees someone else in difficulty, to dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard immediately.
