Remembrance Sunday shout for Hunstanton and Wells RNLI crews

Volunteers from Hunstanton RNLI were paged at 5.30pm on Sunday, 10 November, after a 28ft pleasure craft on its way from Wells to King's Lynn suffered an electrical fire off Titchwell.

They launched fast inshore lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk to assess the situation.

On arrival, they found the casualty craft with one man on board had no navigation lights or propulsion as a result of the fire, which had by then been extinguished. Because of this, and the possibility the vessel could cause a hazard to other shipping, the crew decided the safest option was to tow the vessel back to Wells, where it had set out from.

Wells RNLI were paged to assist in the operation at 5.45pm and proceeded to Holkham Beach for a low-water launch with their D-Class lifeboat Peter Wilcox.

The three-strong Wells crew arrived at 6.50pm to take over the tow, bringing the casualty vessel to a safe spot to anchor in Holkham Bay, before bringing the man on board, who was uninjured, ashore.

Both lifeboats then returned to station, where they were recovered, washed down and refuelled ready for their next service.

The rescue came hours after both crew took part in Remembrance Sunday services in their respective towns.

Mike Gould, acting lifeboat operations manager at Hunstanton RNLI, said: 'It was a well co-ordinated effort between both stations and everyone came home safe and well.'

Like more than 200 RNLI stations around the coast of the UK and Ireland, the lifesaving work of Hunstanton and Wells RNLI could not be possible without the kindness of those who give donations or leave legacies to the charity that saves lives at sea.

For more information call Chris Bishop, Hunstanton RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07584 147219, Jessica Curtis, Wells RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer on 07860 200790 or Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, North and East on 07824 518641, or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.