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Hunstanton RNLI hovercraft rescues man cut off by tide

Lifeboats News Release

A Norfolk lifeboat station launched its search and rescue hovercraft to assist a man who had found himself cut off by the tide. Volunteers from Hunstanton RNLI were paged to launch just after 5pm on Wednesday, 17 July.

RNLI/Chris Bishop

RNLI hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer
Hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer was quickly in the water, proceeding east along the coast to Titchwell Marsh where a man was stranded by the incoming tide.

Its three-strong crew were able to quickly locate the man, who was not injured and transfer him to the care of HM Coastguard at nearby Brancaster Beach.

The hovercraft then returned to station to be washed down and refuelled ready for its next service.

Notes to Editors

Hunstanton is one of just four RNLI stations around the UK coast which operates a search and rescue hovercraft.

The fast, nimble craft can reach areas of shallow water and also fly across sand and mudbanks.

Hunstanton also operates an Atlantic 85 fast inshore lifeboat, Spirit of West Norfolk, one of the fastest in the RNLI fleet.

RNLI Picture caption

The photograph shows RNLI hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer. Credit: RNLI/Chris Bishop

RNLI media contacts

For more information call Chris Bishop, Hunstanton RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07584 147219, Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, North and East on 07824 518641, or 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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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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