Hunstanton RNLI volunteers rescue 12 people during busy weekend of callouts
Hunstanton RNLI's volunteers had a busy weekend when they rescued eleven people who had been cut off by the tide, and a kitesurfer in difficulty.
The volunteer crew launched the Hunstanton Flyer to rescue the two separate families and landed them into the care of the local Coastguard Response Team. The hovercraft then returned to station at 3.45pm.
At 3.55pm the UK Coastguard requested the launch of Hunstanton lifeboat, Spirit of West Norfolk, to go to the aid of four people who were cut off by the tide on Titchwell Marsh. The lifeboat crew located the people, one of whom was a heavily pregnant lady, and they were landed at Brancaster beach into the care of the UK Coastguard.
The lifeboat was then tasked to go to the aid of two people stranded on the marsh at Burnham Deepdale. They were also landed into the care of the UK Coastguard.
On the return journey to the station, the crew recovered a kite surfer who was having difficulties with his kite about a quarter mile east of the lifeboat station, making a total of twelve people who required RNLI assistance on one of the busiest and hottest Sundays of 2017 so far.
Geoff Needham, from Hunstant RNLI, said: 'Visitor’s to the area should be aware of tide times and however tempting it is, should not venture on to the wreck sands or cross over to Scolt Head as the tides go out a long way and expose vast sand banks. But as we know with regards the tide, what goes out must come back, and it does so very quickly, creating very strong tidal currents. Our advice is to stay safe by remaining on the beach whenever possible.
RNLI media contacts
- Geoff Needham, Hunstanton RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, on 01485 525409 (home), 07932 026265 (mobile)
- Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]
- For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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