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Wells RNLI inshore lifeboat launches to five people cut off by the tide

Lifeboats News Release

On Saturday 28 September 2024 Wells RNLI was tasked by HM Coastguard at 2:15pm following two 999 calls from members of the public reporting five people and dogs cut off by the incoming tide.

Wells RNLI D class lifeboat launched to five people cut off by the tide

RNLI/Ray West

Wells RNLI D Class lifeboat ‘ Peter Wilcox’

The group of five people and their dogs were on the sandbank to the west side of Wells-next-the-sea harbour entrance. The D class lifeboat Peter Wilcox launched with a crew of three from the boathouse at 2:26pm. Visibility was good and the inshore lifeboat crew quickly located the group some of them were wading back to the main beach.

The inshore lifeboat was on scene at 2:30pm with the remaining casualties upon checking they were unharmed, the casualties stated they would also wade across.

The crew checked the area to ensure no further assistance was required and stayed on scene until the group and their dogs were safely back on the main part of the beach and no longer in any danger.

Wells RNLI Water Safety Officer Mandy Humphreys said: 'If you get into trouble in the water, Float to Live; tilt your head back with ears submerged and try to relax and control your breathing. Use your hands to help you stay afloat and then call for help or swim to safety if you can. It is OK if your legs sink, we all float differently. In a coastal emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.'

The inshore lifeboat stood down at 2:37pm and was recovered, refuelled and made ready for service by 2:52pm

Notes to Editors

Wells RNLI has a D class inshore lifeboat Peter Wilcox and a Shannon Class all-weather lifeboat Duke of Edinburgh. The boathouse and the all-weather lifeboat were new in 2022. The Duke of Edinburgh lifeboat was the first UK Launch a Memory lifeboat, which has 15,000 names printed on the decals. This helped to raise much needed funds for the RNLI and attracts thousands of visitors to the station.

RNLI Media contacts

Jess Curtis, Lifeboat Press Officer at Wells RNLI Tel 07860200790

Email [email protected]

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

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

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