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Geoff NeedhamVolunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at Hunstanton RNLI.
The Vina, a Second World War target boat, lies on the sand off Brancaster and attracts lots of visitors
Lifeboats News Release
On Thursday 16 August at 3.40pm Yarmouth Coastguard requested the launch of Hunstanton RNLI lifeboat after reports of two children seen playing on the wreck of a vessel - the Vina - at Brancaster.
The volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew launched and proceeded to the area, after Yarmouth Coastguard reported that the two boys were thought to be swimming across the main channel to the shore.The lifeboat was asked to proceed and check the situation. On arrival the crew checked the entrance to Brancaster Harbour and the area around Scolt Head, and back again,but found nothing. After consultation with others the search was called off and the lifeboat released to return to station.The Vina, a Second World War target boat, lies on the sand off Brancaster and attracts lots of visitors. Visitor’s to the area should be aware that the tide floods in fast, cutting off their safe passage back to the shore, Hunstanton RNLI lifeboat crew launched a second time the same day at 7.12pm after Yarmouth Coastguard requested the help of Hunstanton's hovercraft to reports of a person stuck in the mud off Holbeach Marshes.
The hovercraft was launched at 7.20pm and proceeded to the area. At 7.45pm Yarmouth Coastguard reported that the person had been released from the mud by the fire brigade, and all units were stood down. The hovercraft returned to station at 8pm.RNLI media contacts
• Geoff Needham / Volunteer Lifeboat Press OfficerHome 01485 525409 Mobile 07932 026265 email hunstanton@rnli.org.uk • Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East)0207 6207426 / 07785 296252 / tim_ash@rnli.org.uk • Philly Byrde, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East)0207 6207425 / 07886 668825 / philly_byrde@rnli.org.uk • For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland from 236 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 180 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.
The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0845 122 6999 or by email.
The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland
Our lifeboat crews launch 24 times a day on average. Find out which station has launched near you around the UK and Republic of Ireland. View shouts.
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The Vina, a Second World War target boat, lies on the sand off Brancaster and attracts lots of visitors