Wells inshore lifeboat crew aid people cut off by tide

Saturday 12 April 2025

On Saturday 12 April, at 4:48pm, a request was received from Humber Coastguard for the launch of the inshore lifeboat Peter Wilcox to assist two people who had become cut off by the tide on a sand bank at the mouth of Wells Harbour. The alert was raised by the National Coastwatch lookout.

Wells RNLI inshore lifeboat launch to two people cut off by the incoming tide. Volunteer crew of three in full RNLI kit — Wells RNLI inshore lifeboat launch to two people cut off by the incoming tide

At 4:49pm, the volunteer crew was paged and launched at 5:00pm. The inshore lifeboat quickly proceeded to the scene.

By 5:03pm, the crew located one person stranded on the sand bank on the west side of the harbour entrance. Other people who had also been cut off were seen swimming ashore. The remaining person was taken aboard the lifeboat and brought safely back to the station. The casualty was assessed and required no medical assistance.

James Betteridge, Wells RNLI inshore lifeboat Helm, said: 'We want beachgoers to enjoy themselves, but please stay vigilant. Getting cut off by the tide is dangerous always check tide times and head back to dry land at least four hours before high tide. If you do get cut off, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Stay calm and avoid wading through deep or fast-moving water.’

The inshore lifeboat returned ashore at 5:05pm was recovered and rehoused. Refuelling was completed by 5:25pm and the lifeboat was declared ready for service.

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 each year.

For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.

RNLI Media contacts For more information please telephone Jess Curtis, RNLI Media Engagement placement North and East. Volunteer Press Officer Wells RNLI on 07483488243 or [email protected] contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

Wells RNLI volunteers launching to two people cut off by the tide on the beach in full RNLI kit. — Wells RNLI volunteers launching to two people cut off by the tide

Wells RNLI launch in outer harbour to two people cut off by the tide with volunteer crew of three — Wells RNLI launch in outer harbour to two people cut off by the tide

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.

Wells inshore lifeboat crew aid people cut off by tide

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