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Wells RNLI launch to two people and a dog cut off on Stiffkey Marshes

Lifeboats News Release

On Saturday 8 April, Wells inshore lifeboat D-797 Peter Wilcox was paged at 8:17pm by HM Coastguard to render assistance to two people and their dog who had become cut off by the tide in Stiffkey Marshes and were unable to make it back across the creek to the safety of the shore.

RNLI/Ray Wesy

Saturday 8 April

The inshore lifeboat with a volunteer crew of three launched from the boathouse north slipway at 8:35pm and proceeded out of the harbour channel and along the coast to Stiffkey.

The Wells Coastguard team had already been paged and were on scene, they had located the casualties from the shore and could see them visually in the marshes.

The inshore lifeboat arrived on scene at 9:05pm and was directed to the location of the two casualties and their dog by the local Coastguard team.

The inshore lifeboat crew navigated their way to the casualties that were cut off at 9:16pm and ascertained they were all unharmed. The two casualties and their dog were than ferried from the salt marshes to the location on the shore, where the Coastguard team were waiting for them. With the party safely ashore and with the Coastguard, the inshore lifeboat left the scene and made its way back to the Station.

The inshore lifeboat arrived back at the boathouse at 9:55pm and was rehoused, refuelled and ready again for service at 10:22pm.

Chris Hardy, Wells RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager advised: ‘When walking in the marshes, make sure you are aware of the times of High Water and always allow sufficient time to return back across the creeks to the safety of the foreshore, well before the incoming tide starts to flood into the channels and creeks.

'Always carry a fully charged and operational mobile phone, in a waterproof pouch or case, so you can call the Coastguard in an emergency or use it as a light to attract attention. Make sure that you notify family or friends of your plans and the time that you are expected to return, then advise them that you're safely back to the mainland.’

RNLI Media contacts

For more information please contact Jess Curtis, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [email protected]


RNLI/Ray west

Tidal cut off Saturday 8 April

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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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