Wells RNLI rescue fishing boat

The boat had suffered main engine failure. The crew member had tried to repair the engine without success and, in doing so, had aggravated a pre-existing medical condition. The crew member had managed to drop anchor south of Docking Shoal about 12 miles north-west of the lifeboat station.

The lifeboat launched outside the boathouse with a crew of six on the ebbing tide at 6.00 pm and sighted the boat at 6.39 pm. It was decided to put a crew member onboard to assess the crew member’s medical condition and to rig up a tow. No medical assistance was required but, before the tow could start, the lifeboat crew had to clear the vessel’s anchor which had become entangled in some fishing gear. The tow began at 7.03 pm in favourable sea conditions.

In consultation with the Wells Harbourmaster, it was decided to tow the vessel back to safe water close to the harbour entrance and anchor the vessel overnight to await the early morning flood tide, when there would be sufficient water to bring the vessel into port. It was confirmed that the crew member was fit to remain on board overnight and at 8.17pm the fishing boat was safely anchored in the approaches to Wells harbour. Satisfied that no further assistance was required, the RNLI crew member returned to the lifeboat, which then had a low water recovery in Holkham bay and was back on station, sanitised, refuelled and ready again for service at 10.30pm.

Photograph shows fishing boat under tow.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Adrian Underwood, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Office for Wells-next-the-Sea RNLI Lifeboat Station on 07976 717304 or [email protected]

Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Media Officer for the North and East on (07824) 518641 [email protected]

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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal summer, 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 142,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.

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.