RNLI Wells lifeboat volunteers rescue two people stranded by the tide

The Wells inshore lifeboat Peter Wilcox launched outside the boathouse with a crew of three at 5.07pm and proceeded along the harbour channel and out to sea towards the stranded casualties.

The two people were cut off from the beach on a disappearing spit of sand as the tide was rushing in. At 5.13pm the inshore lifeboat crew found the two people safe and well. The crew took them to the shore, landing outside the boathouse at 5.22pm.

The lifeboat was brought into the boathouse at 5.27pm. It was then sanitised, rehoused, refuelled and ready for service again at 6pm.

RNLI Deputy Launching Authority, Greg Hewitt, said ‘This is the second time in three days that we have had an incident of the same nature. I cannot stress how important it is to check the tide times when enjoying our beach and shoreline. This way people can make sure they return back to the main part of the beach at least four hours before high tide to prevent being stranded.’

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.

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