Wells RNLI inshore lifeboat crew assist three people on Mothering Sunday

Local coastguards located the three casualties trapped on the marsh north of Skiffkey marsh carpark, with a 9.4 metre spring tide and a one metre surge rapidly covering the marsh the situation was assessed, and it was decided it was not possible for the coastguards to carry out a land-based rescue.

Wells RNLI D class inshore lifeboat Peter Wilcox was launched from the boathouse at 6:58pm with a volunteer crew of three onboard and proceeded to the location given. The inshore lifeboat crew navigated around the East Hills to the east of the boathouse and into the marsh.

The three casualties were quickly located waist deep in water completely cut off by the incoming tide at 7:10pm. The inshore lifeboat crew helped the casualties onboard, they were unharmed and required no medical assistance. The casualties were transferred by the inshore lifeboat to the marsh footbridge and into the care of the local coastguards at 7:25pm.

Wells RNLI Peter Wilcox was back ashore at 7:40pm rehoused, refuelled and back on service again at 8:15pm.

Chris Hardy, Lifeboat Operations Manager at RNLI Wells, said: ‘We would like to extend our thanks to the local coastguards for their invaluable support and assistance in today’s rescue. Teamwork was instrumental in ensuring a successful outcome.’

Mandy Humphreys, RNLI Water Safety Officer, explained: ‘Getting cut off by the tide can be very dangerous. If you find yourself cut off by the tide, call 999 immediately. Try to stay dry and calm until help arrives. Wading through water over knee deep, especially in areas of marsh or sandbars can be incredibly hazardous as the depth of water can change very rapidly resulting in your sudden full immersion in fast flowing, cold water which is associated with a high risk of drowning. Help to avoid tidal cut off in this area, by getting back to dry sand/land with no more channels or drains to cross at least four hours before wells bar high tide time.’

Notes to editors

Spring tides are the highest high tides and lowest low tides. Spring tides can expose areas not normally uncovered by the tide and the water moves very quickly during a spring tide, always check tide times and heights and remain vigilant of incoming tide to avoid becoming cut off

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.

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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.

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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