RNLI volunteers were called out on Wednesday night following a report that an angler fishing may have been hit by a wave and washed into the sea.
The two volunteer crews from Hartlepool were called out by Humber Coastguard at 10.56pm and reached the scene near the Heugh breakwater by 11.20pm.
An RNLI spokesman said: "The two boats were on scene within a matter of minutes where sea conditions at the at the time were described as difficult.
"The two RNLI lifeboats were later joined by a UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter that also took part in the search.
RNLI crew searching the area around Hartlepool Heugh
"Following a thorough search of the area both lifeboats were stood down at 2.30am and returned to the Ferry Road lifeboat station where they were refuelled and made ready for service by 3am."
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