Happisburgh volunteers called into action to reports of a floating item
The UK Coastguard received reports of an object floating in the sea off Ostend on 14 July at 7:25pm, and requested the launch of Happisburgh Atlantic Lifeboat through Deputy Launching Authority, Colin Flemming, who set the crew pagers off.
Howard Bell was soon on the water with Christian Larter on helm, Martin Gibbs, Sean Thurston and John Holsworth as crew and proceeded to Ostend ramp where they commenced their search.
They worked down the coast towards Happisburgh then proceeded back towards Ostend, extending their search seaward.
Approximately 600 metres off Ostend ramp the crew found a lime green fishing box with orange netting. This was reported to Humber Coastguard. The crew were then requested to carry on searching South as far as Reef Three at Sea Palling.
After two and a half hours of searching the crew had completed their search pattern, as requested by Humber Coastguard, but had found nothing else so were stood down. They returned to station and were ready for service by 9.50pm.
Helm, Christian Larter, said: ‘The boat and crew had worked well together. Bacton coastguard had provided valuable information from their vantage points at Ostend ramp and the clifftop at the old Coastwatch, Happisburgh.'
RNLI media contacts
· Happisburgh Lifeboat Station Volunteer Press Officer PHILIP SMITH,
Mobile 07766007936, E-mail [email protected]
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