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Wells RNLI D class lifeboat launches during station open day

Lifeboats News Release

Wells RNLI's inshore lifeboat Peter Wilcox was paged during its carnival station open day by HM Coastguard at 12:27pm to assist eight people in a 18ft lugger which had got into difficulties on the ebbing tide in the entrance to Blakeney Harbour.

Wells RNLI D class lifeboat being recovered after assisting 18ft lugger at Blakeney.

RNLI/Jess Curtis

Wells RNLI D class lifeboat being recovered in Holkham Bay
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The inshore lifeboat with a volunteer crew of three quickly launched into the Wells harbour channel at 12:38pm and proceeded to Blakeney.

The luggers outboard engine had broken down and on deploying the oars onboard they snapped so the boat had no means of propulsion. As the inshore lifeboat approached Blakeney harbour entrance at 12:57pm, the disabled lugger was sighted visually by the crew and the lifeboat was alongside at 1:03pm.

Wells RNLI Water Safety Officer, Mandy Humphreys said: 'Having the app what3words is really useful for giving the emergency services a precise location. It means we can help you more quickly.’

The situation was assessed and after checking the party required no medical attention they were helped onboard and safely ferried to the foreshore, with the exception of the skipper.

It was decided that the safest option was for the skipper to remain onboard as the inshore lifeboat towed the lugger and two sailing dinghies against the ebbing tide to a safe mooring in the outer harbour where the skipper was also able to safely make way to the foreshore.

Once all eight were safely on shore no further assistance was required and the inshore lifeboat was stood down at 1:45pm and then returned to the low water recovery site in Holkham Bay for recovery. 



The inshore lifeboat was ashore at 2:20pm and was washed down, refuelled and was ready again for service at 3:40pm.

Notes to editors

Wells RNLI has a D class inshore lifeboat Peter Wilcox and a Shannon class all- weather lifeboat Duke of Edinburgh. The boathouse and the all-weather lifeboat were new in 2022. The Duke of Edinburgh lifeboat was the first UK Launch a Memory lifeboat, which has 15,000 names printed on the decals. This helped to raise much needed funds for the RNLI and attracts thousands of visitors to the station.

RNLI media contacts

For more information, please telephone Jessica Curtis, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07860200790 or [email protected] or Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager (North and East) on 07824518641 [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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.

About the author

Jess Curtis
Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, Wells-next-the-Sea

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