Happisburgh RNLI volunteers had their first call out of the year
On Friday 19 February 2021, the pagers sounded at 5:30pm. HM Coastguard had been alerted to an object floating in the sea, around the area of the old lifeboat ramp at Town Gap Happisburgh.
The crew were soon at the lifeboat station and after discussion with HM Coastguard, Russell Pickering the station's D-Class lifeboat was launched just before 6pm, with Charlotte Siely at the helm and Chris Risby and Will Baker as crew.
The sea state was calm with a slight swell; a coast line search was started at once, as they proceeded north to Town Gap. With it now being dark the crew used white parachute flares to illuminate a large area as they proceeded towards Bacton with tide and wind.
After an hour of searching and finding nothing, together with no one being reported missing, the crew were stood down and returned to station to refuel, clean down as per Covid-19 rules and made ready for service again.
Charlotte Siely said: 'It was good to get the lifeboat on the water and do the job we are all here for which is saving lives at sea. We have been on call all through Covid-19, but training has been affected by lock down.'
The lifeboat station would like to remind people to be safe when on or near the beach; if you see any one in trouble in the sea or on the beach or cliffs call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Be mindful of the number of cliff slips/slides that has been happening; stay clear of the edge and the bottom of any cliffs.
If your pet enters the water please do not enter the water yourself; call for help.
RNLI Media contacts
ยท Happisburgh Lifeboat Station Volunteer Press Officer Philip Smith:
Mobile: 07766007936 Email: [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 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
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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.