US military chief thanks RNLI for rescuing sailor

A senior US military officer has thanked the RNLI for saving one of their sailors and his wife who got into difficulty off the East Yorkshire coast.

The couple, both US nationals, found themselves cut off after going ashore in a cove while paddleboarding near Flamborough Head on 3 July.

Col John Sullivan, commander at a military intelligence center at RAF Molesworth in Cambridgeshire, wrote a letter to the crew commending the RNLI for its "rapid response".

David Freeman, Flamborough lifeboat operations manager, said he was "amazed" when he received the letter, adding: "It was totally out of the blue, but very nice and very welcome."

Describing the rescue, Freeman said: "On arrival, we tried to get in with a lifeboat but unfortunately there was too much swell and the sea was too rough to safely get ashore.

"We tried coaxing the two persons to swim to the lifeboat but I think they frightened themselves."

Coastguard crews called in the rescue helicopter while the lifeboat waited a short distance away. The sailor and his wife were safely rescued.

In his letter, Sullivan said: "Thanks to the skill and bravery of your rescue crew, our sailor and his wife were brought to safety.

"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.

"Please convey my sincere appreciation to the specific crew members involved in this rescue."

A spokesperson for the US European Command said: "We would like to express our appreciation to our UK allies, specifically the personnel stationed at the RNLI Flamborough lifeboat station, for their swift response in rescuing a US European Command Service member and a member of their family."

Speaking of the letter, Freeman said: "It means a lot to the crew. It means a lot to me as well.

"It shows the person's appreciation, a simple thank you costs nothing at the end of the day but it means so much to the people involved."

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