Two call outs in the same day for Wells RNLI lifeboat volunteers.
Wells RNLI inshore lifeboat volunteers were exercising in the harbour this evening, 28 April, when they were tasked by HM Coastguard at 7.35pm to assist a person cut off by the tide on Holkham beach.
The inshore lifeboat, with a volunteer crew of three, proceeded out of the harbour and along the foreshore to sea. The all-weather lifeboat, which was exercising in Holkham Bay, closed toward the position of the stranded person and guided the inshore lifeboat to the exact location.
The local Coastguard team were also tasked to the incident, and the person cut off from the shore was located on the high sands on Holkham beach.
The inshore lifeboat arrived on scene at 7.55pm and stood off, as the onshore sea and swell conditions made it very difficult to assist the stranded person from the seaward side.
It was quickly ascertained that the person was not in immediate danger as it was high tide. It was considered best if the person was assisted to safety from the shore by the local Coastguard team as the tide ebbed.
At 8.09pm the inshore lifeboat was released by the Coastguard. It returned immediately to Wells Harbour, as the day light was fading and the wind over tide sea conditions, were becoming challenging. The lifeboat was ashore at 8.25pm.
The all-weather lifeboat stood by offshore until 8.30pm and returned to the lifeboat station at 8.55pm.
At 9pm the Coastguard helicopter was tasked to the incident. It winched the casualty to safety at 9.45pm, departing the scene at 10pm.
Both boats were rehoused, refuelled and sanitised and back on service at 10pm.Earlier the same day the Well's all-weather lifeboat had been tasked by HM Coastguard to go to the assistance of a local fishing vessel. More details can be found here:
https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2021/april/28/rnli-wells-lifeboat-volunteers-face-strong-winds-as-th...
Media Contacts:
Justine Wells, Lifeboat Press Officer, Wells Lifeboat Station (07710) 510516 [email protected]
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