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First shout of the year for Hunstanton RNLI to grounded yacht

Lifeboats News Release

A Norfolk lifeboat was launched on 2 February after a sailing vessel ran aground.

RNLI/Chris Bishop

Hunstanton RNLI lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk
Hunstanton RNLI was tasked to assist the 21ft yacht after it grounded near the entrance to the Lynn Channel in The Wash.

Lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk was launched at around 6pm and made its way south towards King's Lynn.

After meeting up with the vessel and confirming all was well with the two people on board, the lifeboat and its four-strong crew waited for the incoming tide to refloat her.

They then accompanied her into the mouth of the River Ouse, following upstream to pontoon moorings off Lynn's South Quay.

The lifeboat then gave way to ships entering and leaving the fast-flowing tidal river, before returning to station.

She was then washed down, refuelled and made ready for her next service by the shore crew after being recovered by the station's tractor just before 9pm.

Notes to Editors

Hunstanton is one of the busiest lifeboat stations in Norfolk, whose volunteers operate the fast inshore lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk and the search and rescue hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer.

Like more than 230 RNLI stations around the coast of the UK and Ireland, its lifesaving work of is funded entirely by the generosity of those who donate towards the charity that saves lives at sea.

RNLI media contacts

For more information call Chris Bishop, Hunstanton RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07584 147219 or Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, North and East on 07824 518641 or contact 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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.

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