’Good in-tent’: Lowestoft RNLI lifeboat crew get a surprise when out on a shout
An RNLI lifeboat, HM coastguard rescue teams and Police officers responded to multiple reports of something suspicious in the sea off the Suffolk coast – but were in for a surprise.
Lowestoft RNLI lifeboat ‘Patsy Knight’ was called out at 11.11am on Saturday 6 June following reports of something black, thought to possibly be a person in difficulties, floating in the water close to the beach at Kessingland.
Lowestoft Lifeboat Coxswain John Fox said “When we reached the location we soon spotted a dark shape floating close to the shore and found that it was in fact a small abandoned black tent. Our volunteer crew used a boathook to recover the tent to prevent any further calls. It was a case of a false alarm - with good intent.
We continued to check the waters edge as far as Benacre to ensure this was the only reason for the report. As we were about to head back to our mooring we were redirected to search for a missing man who was thought to be in Gunton or Corton area. The search also involved a fire service drone, police and HM coastguard teams.”
Mr. Fox added, “A short while after arriving and having searched as far as Corton Church we were stood down after the police located the male safe and well.”
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Mick Howes, Lowestoft RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer� 562488 / 07814 468917 email [email protected]
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Jim Rice, RNLI Regional Media Manager, Tel: 07810 658 072. [email protected]
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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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