Hundreds visit Wells RNLI Lifeboat Station on their open day

The planned demonstrations with the inshore lifeboat had to be cancelled as the volunteer crew were called to assist a total of 22 people and a dog in 6 separate incidents between Wells, Brancaster and Titchwell.

From 12 midday to 5pm on Sunday 20 August, Wells RNLI Lifeboat Station opened its doors to the public and more than 400 visitors came to meet the crew and see the boats.

Families were treated to a guided tour of the all weather lifeboat and were entertained by crew members' tales of rescues.

Coxswain Allen Frary said that it had been a really successful day and thanked the public for showing up and supporting the work that the volunteer crew at Wells do. He added: 'It was a pity that the launch and recovery demonstrations with the inshore lifeboat) had to be cancelled but we are an operational station and that became very clear to everyone when the boat had to launch for real.

The first 'shout' was to assist a group of people cut off by the tide on the west side of Wells channel on Holkham beach. This was swiftly followed by an incident at Brancaster near the golf club and yet another at Titchwell. On returning to Wells more people were observed to be cut off by the tide and, by the time the inshore lifeboat made it back to the boathouse, 2 hours later, 22 people and 1 dog had been helped to safety.

RNLI media contacts

• Peter Rainsford, Chairman Wells RNLI, 01328 711463, 07789 967 255
• John Mitchell, Wells RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer 07831 103166, [email protected]
• Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]
• Paul Dunt, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207416, 07786 668825, [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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.