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Cromer RNLI launches after swimmer is caught in a rip

Lifeboats News Release

Cromer ILB (inshore lifeboat) was tasked by HM Coastguard at 7.38pm on Thursday 11 July to a report of people in the water at the far west end of Cromer promenade.

RNLI/Neil Longdin

Cromer RNLI D Class inshore lifeboat on training exercise on 9 July 2024

The volunteer crews swiftly mustered and Cromer RNLI’s D class inshore lifeboat Mr Eric Sharpe launched at 7.49pm. Soon after launching the crew were advised that two people were in the water near to the Pier and the person that called it in was still on scene and had eyes on them. The crew checked under Cromer Pier before starting a shore line search.

The Coastguard then updated that the two people were out of the water and with the police on shore. The ILB was put on the beach and the crew went ashore and made their way to the casualties to allow the Helm to asses the situation. The Helm spoke to the casualties who were given casualty care advice - they were walking and talking but very tired.

It transpired that the first casualty had got swept out to sea by a rip tide and two others swam out to help him. Fortunately, they all managed to get back to shore before the lifeboat arrived on scene. The crew handed them over to the coastguard and the ambulance crew then arrived on scene.

Cromer ILB then called the coastguard to give them an update and were stood down from that point. The lifeboat was back at the station at 8.14pm and refuelled and ready for service at 8.30pm.

Tim Ballard, Cromer RNLI ILB Crew said: ‘This was a great outcome but as our beaches get busier over the summer it is a reminder of the risks from rips.

'If you do find yourself caught in a rip current, don’t try to swim against it or you’ll get exhausted. If you can stand, wade don’t swim and if you can, swim parallel to the shore until free of the rip and then head for shore. Always raise your hand and shout for help’

For more information on rip currents: https://rnli.org/safety/know-the-risks/rip-currents

For more information please contact Clare Stagg, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [email protected] or Beth Robson

Key facts about Cromer RNLI

The Cromer Lifeboat Station was established in 1804 and was not taken over by the Institution from the Norfolk Shipwreck Association until 1857. Since 1923 there have been two lifeboats at Cromer, and currently there is a D Class inshore boat and Tamar all-weather lifeboat. The outstanding figure in the history of Cromer is Henry George Blogg who became a member of the Cromer crew in 1894 at the age of 18. He was coxswain from 1909-1947. During his 53 years as a lifeboat crew member, the Cromer lifeboats had been on service 387 times and rescued 873 lives. His record is without equal in the history of the Institution. No lifeboat crew member has received so many decorations for gallantry.

RNLI/Neil Longdin

Cromer RNLI D Class inshore lifeboat - Mr Eric Sharpe

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.

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