Hunstanton lifeboat rescues five from grounded boat
Hunstanton lifeboat rescues five from grounded boat
Lifeboats News Release
A Norfolk lifeboat rescued five people from a pleasure craft after it ran aground near King's Lynn. Volunteers at Hunstanton RNLI rushed to the station after the alarm was raised by HM Coastguard just before 3pm on Sunday 30 June.
RNLI/Chris Bishop
Hunstanton RNLI lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk was launched to the grounded charter vessel
They launched the fast inshore lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk within minutes of arriving.
The four-strong crew made their way to the mouth of the River Ouse at King's Lynn, reaching the scene at around 3.30pm.
After finding the grounded vessel, they picked up the five people on board, none of whom were injured, before returning to the lifeboat station to convey them to shore.
The vessel's two crew elected to remain on board and wait for the tide to re-float her.
The lifeboat returned to station at 4.45pm, where she was cleaned down and made ready for service by the crew.
RNLI Picture caption
The photograph shows RNLI lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk. Credit: RNLI/Chris Bishop.
Notes to editors
Hunstanton operates an Atlantic 85 fast inshore lifeboat, Spirit of West Norfolk, one of the fastest in the RNLI fleet.
It's one of just four stations which also operates a search and rescue hovercraft.
This year marks the 200th anniversary of both the founding of a lifeboat service at Hunstanton and the founding of the RNLI, whose work would not be possible without donations from its supporters.
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.