I arrived on Blyth pier on that day, saw the pilot boat then the small RNLI zodiac both "standing " off the pier where the angler was. The impression I got was, he didn't want to be "rescued", he was indicating to the pilot boat to go away and just let him fish.
Then the large inflatable RNLI boat arrived, with what appeared to be a stalemate with the a angler continuing to fish. Eventually gave in to the dilemer, packed up fishing, and started to walk to the awaiting lifeboat crewman, who was now on the pier. Just after they reached the first groin from the end of the pier, a very large wave went right over the pier where they had just walked. There is no hand railinge there, and would undouptedly have both been washed off. Definately should have not been on there!!!!!!!!!