
Happisburgh RNLI assist in multi-agency call to ‘object’ reported in the sea
Happisburgh RNLI was paged at 10.10am yesterday (Thursday 27 June). HM Coastguard received a 999 call from a member of the public who had spotted a yellow object, possibly a dinghy, drifting out to sea off Happisburgh.
The station’s inshore lifeboat Russell Pickering was launched at 10.25am with a crew of three.
The Coastguard asked the volunteer crew to search south of the station down to Horsey. As nothing was found, they then asked them to search back up the coast three miles off but again, nothing was found.
Coastal shipping, including an RNLI Trent class lifeboat on passage and Coastguard teams were also tasked to search the coastline.
After an hour, the Coastguard called the search off with nothing found, believing the object to be a marker buoy, and no one was reported missing.
Russell Pickering then returned to station and was made ready for service again.
Pete Walker, RNLI Helm, said: ‘This was a call made with good intent. Our charity would always ask the public to call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard if they see anything that is worrying. We would always be happy to check things out if it is thought that someone might be in danger.’
Today (Friday 28 June) there was another call-out for the inshore lifeboat crew. Russell Pickering was launched at 10am to Eccles beach to reports of a swimmer in difficulty on the beach.
The lifeboat crew provided casualty care to the person until an ambulance arrived.
RNLI Picture caption
The library photo shows the inshore lifeboat Russell Pickering. Credit RNLI/Philip Smith.
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