Hunstanton RNLI was paged just after 11.45pm on Tuesday, 8 July to reports a cabin vessel had run aground in the River Ouse in King's Lynn.
Volunteers launched the hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer, which made its way to the scene and helped to secure the vessel with ropes.
They then set off to return to station but whilst they were on their way at around 3am a further call was received to say that the vessel was now sinking.
The hovercraft returned to scene and at 3.15am lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk was also launched as the situation escalated.
Two men and two women were taken off the vessel by the hovercraft before the crew returned to attempt to rescue animals which were on board, including 15 dogs, cats, snakes and a tortoise.
They saved 15 dogs, three cats, a snake, two parrots and a tortoise.
By 4.15am, the boat had sank.
A fire service vessel and the tug Ardenfast were also involved in the operation, along with police and ambulance service.
Both assets then returned to station, where they arrived just after 7am.
It came after the crew had launched to two other 'shouts' the previous evening.
They were first paged at around 6pm on Tuesday, 8 July, to reports a boat with four on board had capsized off Brancaster.
Lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk was quickly launched and made its way to the scene where it was found the four people had made their way safely to shore.
The lifeboat then made its way back to station to be recovered, washed down and refuelled.
Just after 9.45pm, the station was tasked to launch its hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer, to reports of four people missing off Heacham.
The 'hover crew made their way south along the coastline to search an area of foreshore before it was then reported all had again made their way safely ashore.
The hovercraft then returned to station by 10pm, to be was washed down, refuelled and made ready for its next service.
Editor's Notes
Hunstanton lifeboat station operates the fast inshore lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk and the search and rescue hovercraft
Hunstanton Flyer.
Like more than 200 RNLI crews around the coast of the UK and Ireland, their lifesaving work would not be possible without the kindness of those who donate to the charity that saves lives at sea.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
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