Wells inshore lifeboat assists two people and a dog cut off by tide
On Tuesday 22 August, Wells inshore lifeboat had already launched on a training exercise with four volunteer crew on board, when HM Coastguard paged them at 8:03pm to render assistance to two people and a dog that were cut off on a sand bank seaward of Wells beach on the incoming tide.
The inshore lifeboat Peter Wilcox quickly responded and located the people on the sand bank, and they were on scene at 8:07pm and ascertained that apart from being cut off by the tide, they required no medical attention.
So as not overload the inshore lifeboat, one crew member went ashore on the sand bank, so that the two people and the dog, which was somewhat distressed, could be transferred calmly and safely to the lifeboat.
They were all safely on board at 8:10pm, the inshore lifeboat ferried the people and their dog across the water filled low way drain to the safety of the main beach. The lifeboat then returned to the sandbank and picked up the crew member at 8:20pm and continued with the planned training exercise.
With no further signs of people being cut off on completion of the exercise, the inshore lifeboat returned to station and was ashore at 8:35pm and refuelled and rehoused and ready again for service at 9:15pm
Notes to editors
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34 of 52 call outs during 2022 were people assisted after being cut off by the tide.
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Siren sounds four hours before high water Wells bar, beach goers need to return immediately to main beach when they hear this.
For more information, please contact Jess Curtis, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [email protected]
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