RNLI Wells lifeboat rescue more people cut off by the tide despite warnings
Wells inshore lifeboat was tasked at 6.09pm by HM Coastguard on Bank Holiday Thursday, to go to the assistance of a group of three people and their two dogs, who were cut off on the high sand by the incoming tide on the west side of Wells Harbour entrance.
The volunteer lifeboat crew launched at 6.21pm outside the boathouse and proceeded toward the casualties. The inshore lifeboat was on scene at 6.25pm, the people and dogs being clearly visible from the lifeboat station.
The Lifeboat crew established that they were all well and ferried them back to the safety of the boathouse at 6.42pm.
With the party safely ashore, the inshore lifeboat was stood down, sanitised, rehoused, refuelled and back on service again at 7pm.
Whilst this launch was taking place two other people, also in the vicinity, waded back to the safety of the shore chest high in water in the flooding tide.
Lifeboat Operations Manager, Chris Hardy, said ‘this same area of sand is causing an issue time and time again. We are trying hard to get the message across to the public of the danger as the tide turns. The sea floods in very quickly into the channel behind it making it difficult to cross. Walkers should always check the tide times before they set out, so that they don’t find themselves cut off by the tide. They should make their way back to the main part of the beach at least 4 hours before high tide to avoid being cut off. A siren sounds on Wells beach to alert people that the tide is coming in'.
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.