Two rescued by Wells RNLI after inflatable dinghy capsizes on outgoing tide
Wells inshore lifeboat was paged at 2.22pm by Humber Coastguard on Thursday 24 September to rescue two people who were in the water, after their four-metre inflatable dinghy capsized in the approaches to Blakeney Harbour whilst fishing for mackerel.
The Wells inshore lifeboat launched outside the boathouse at 2.30pm and proceeded down the harbour channel, toward the last known position at Blakeney Harbour entrance.
The inshore lifeboat spotted the two people at 2.46pm. They had managed to scramble onboard the upturned hull of their dinghy, which by this time was already ¾ of a mile offshore on the outgoing tide and offshore wind, and in danger of being swept out to sea.
The lifeboat was on scene at 2.51pm and ascertained that both casualties, apart from being exhausted, wet and very cold from being in the sea, did not require any immediate medical assistance.
The lifeboat crew took the two casualties onboard and then rigged up a tow to the boat and started the tow back into the safety of Blakeney Harbour.
At 3.05pm the lifeboat and its tow were inside the harbour and proceeded toward Morston creek.
The lifeboat landed the two people at 3.20pm into the care of the local Coastguard team and made sure the dinghy was safely on the shore at Morston hard.
The lifeboat was ashore at 3.25pm and was then sanitised, refuelled and ready again for service at 4.30pm.
Chris Hardy, Wells Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘Our volunteer crew quickly located the casualties and rescued them from the upturned hull of their dinghy. Thankfully other than being tired and cold, they were unharmed, and we were pleased to be able to bring them back to safety.
‘We’d always advise people to take a means of calling for help with them when they’re out on the water and to always wear a lifejacket.’
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Adrian Underwood, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Office for Wells-next-the-Sea RNLI Lifeboat Station on: 07976 717304, email: [email protected]
or, Chris Hardy, Lifeboat Operations Manager on: 07770 927360
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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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