Second call out in two days for RNLI Wells volunteers

The two adult brothers had left Blakeney Quay to go fishing together in kayaks and had becomenme separated whilst on the water. One of the called mayday on a hand-held VHF radio when he was unable to see his companion.

The D-Class Lifeboat Peter Wilcox left Wells Lifeboat Station at 1.25pm, arriving on scene at Blakeney Harbour mouth at 1.44pm and continuing into Blakeney Pit.

At 1.50pm, the volunteer lifeboat crew of three located the kayaker who had reported his brother as missing. A visual search of the area for the missing kayaker then commenced.

The missing kayaker and kayak were found by the coastguard safe and uninjured at 2.06pm. He was waiting for his companion aground on sand in Blakeney Creek.

The Wells inshore lifeboat was stood down at 2.15pm. At 3pm the lifeboat was recovered in Holkham Bay, as there was insufficient water in the main harbour channel due to the ebbing tide. It was back at the lifeboat house at 3.02pm. The lifeboat was sanitised, rehoused, refuelled and ready for service at 3.35pm.

Wells RNLI volunteer helm, James Betteridge, said: ‘The kayaker who reported his missing brother, did so as soon as he was concerned, which was the right thing to do. We would always prefer to be called out early, than have a potentially more serious situation to deal with’.

RNLI advice for kayakers and canoers is:-

· Always carry a means of calling for help and keep it within reach

· Wear a buoyancy aid or lifejacket.

· Check the weather and tides

· Tell someone where you’re going and when you'll be back.

Further RNLI information for safety when kayaking or canoeing https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/kayaking-and-canoeing#

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 year, 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.

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.