
Hunstanton and Skegness RNLI crews team up for special exercise
Lifeboat crews from Norfolk and Lincolnshire joined forces for a special exercise at sea on 29 December.
The Norfolk crew launched their Atlantic B-Class lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk at dawn before making their way across to the Lincolnshire side of the estuary where the Skegness crew were launching their Shannon Class lifeboat Joel and April Grunnill.
Volunteers on both vessels then set a course for Norfolk, where they met up with the hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer.
Crews took part in exercises as well as boarding each other's craft to find out more about their capabilities and quiz their colleagues about how they operate them.
Paul Stewart, one of the launch authorities at Hunstanton, said: 'We normally link up with Skegness at this time of the year.
'It's all about familiarisation and working together, so we can see the capabilities of their craft and they can see the capabilities of our craft.
'It's getting to know the other crew as well and how they work.'
Hunstanton crew members enjoyed a tour of the Joel and April Grunnill, while their opposite numbers were welcomed on board both Spirit of West Norfolk and Hunstanton Flyer.
The three RNLI craft, together with Skegness's D class inshore lifeboat The Holland Family cover The Wash, along with swathes of the north Norfolk and south Lincolnshire coastline.
Notes to editors
Like more than 200 RNLI lifeboat stations around the coast of the UK and Ireland, volunteers from Hunstanton and Skegness are on call 24/7, 365 days a year - including over Christmas and New Year.
Their vital work is only made possible by the RNLI’s generous supporters, who help fund the essential kit, training and equipment needed to keep crews prepared and protected.
The RNLI has launched a Christmas Appeal to help volunteers like them continue saving lives.
To donate, visit RNLI.org/WinterAppeal.
RNLI media contacts
For more information call Chris Bishop, Hunstanton RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07584 147219 or Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, North and East on 07824 518641 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.