Sheringham RNLI launches to kayaker in distress

Sheringham RNLI’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat The Oddfellows launched in moderate sea conditions with a 20-knot north-westerly wind and headed to the incident, helmed by Steve Banks.

The crew located the kayak and the casualty, who had capsized by the rough seas and was in the water, separated from the kayak, and making their way back to shore where they were located by the Coastguard.

RNLI volunteers identified the casualty to the Coastguard and they were transferred to the waiting emergency services.

As we enter the peak holiday season, the incident was a timely reminder to take care when enjoying the coast, to always wear appropriate personal protective equipment and to remember if you do get in trouble, to float to live – lean back, using your arms and legs to stay afloat, control your breathing, then call for help or swim to safety

As well as saving lives at sea, Sheringham Lifeboat Station is a local hub for informing and educating children and adult groups on how to stay safe near and in the water.

Sheringham RNLI is looking to expand its Visits Team. Team members explain and demonstrate what a lifeboat crew does, the equipment they use, and how Sheringham RNLI has served its community and the coast since the first private lifeboat The Augusta was built here in 1838.

The team at Sheringham Lifeboat Station welcomes applications for new members to join the Visits Team. Former RNLI crew members will be particularly welcome, and we invite all members of the Sheringham Community who wish to do something valuable to get in touch to help the RNLI to save lives through education.

You do not have to have a nautical background as you will be given all the training you need; the existing team will support you in developing how to communicate essential knowledge.

To find out more, please contact a member of the Sheringham RNLI team, or RNLI Sheringham Chairman Phil Hawes at: [email protected].

Notes to editors

· Sheringham has been saving lives at sea since 1838 – with our most recent lifeboat The Oddfellows being operational since 2007, donated by The Oddfellows and having launched on service over 50 times.

· A picture of the B818 Atlantic 85 lifeboat ready for service after this launch is appended to this release. Picture credit to Gareth Davies.

· Three other photos of the B818 Atlantic 85 lifeboat The Oddfellows can be accessed at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/hsv612jzojehii6/AAAiDiGlMXRfCbjZwlqvm5e1a?dl=0 These picture credits all to www.christaylorphoto.co.uk

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Gareth Davies, Sheringham RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer on 07802 541378 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

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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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.