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Hunstanton lifeboat launched to grounded vessel

Lifeboats News Release

A Norfolk lifeboat was launched to a grounded vessel in a tidal creek. The crew at Hunstanton were first paged at 10pm on Thursday 19 September after reports the cruiser, which had three on board, had run aground in a creek near Gedney on the Lincolnshire side of The Wash.

Hunstanton RNLI

The Hunstanton RNLI crew make their way to assess the grounded vessel in a narrow tidal creek
On assessing the tides, they were stood down as they were unable to reach the 30ft casualty vessel.

One person on board was taken off the vessel by HM Coastguard after suffering a medical episode overnight.

At 4.30am on Friday 20 September, the crew were again paged to assemble and discussed plans to attend the vessel.

At 5.30am, they launched RNLI lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk to assess the situation.

On arrival at the casualty vessel, which was some distance inland up a narrow creek, it was decided the safest option was to tow her to Sutton Bridge, via the River Nene.

After completing the operation, the lifeboat returned to station at around 9.50am where she was washed down, refuelled and made ready for service.

Notes to Editors

Hunstanton is one of Norfolk's busiest lifeboat stations, operating both the inshore lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk and search and rescue hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer.

It covers The Wash, a tidal estuary fed by five main rivers of more than 100 square miles, along with parts of the north Norfolk coastline.

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.

RNLI/Chris Bishop

Hunstanton RNLI lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk

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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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