Happisburgh volunteers called into action

HM Coastguard informed the station they had received a 999 call reporting that someone had seen two people and a dog cut off by the tide behind the rocks at Happisburgh. Before the crew were able to get the boat in the water HM Coastguard called back and stood the crew down.

Bacton Coastguard unit went to Happisburgh but were unable to see the two people and dog so HM Coastguard called the station again to ask for Russell Pickering to be launched and do a coast line search.

At 1.52pm Russell Pickering entered the water with Chris Risby as helm, and Harry Ronald, Jon Church, and George Reddell as crew. Making best speed they soon arrived at the rocks and manoeuvred through the rocks and were unable to see anyone. With the Coastguard on the cliff top and the lifeboat on the beach no casualties could be seen.

The Coastguard asked the lifeboat crew to carry on along the beachline towards Walcott; then at 2.10pm the crew made contact with two people and a dog walking towards Walcott so the boat was beached again. These were the same people reported as cut off by the sea; they had walked from Bacton towards Happisburgh but found their way blocked by water and unsure of what the tide was doing they became worried.

They could see the way back towards Walcott was clear and started walking in that direction. The crew checked them out and gave them some water; the two people were happy to carry on walking back.

The crew then left and returned to station at 2.33pm, recovered Russell Pickering, and rehoused and made ready for service.

This was the first service call out for George Reddell since passing out as Tier two.

The Water Safety Team would like to remind the public to always check what the tide is doing before walking on the beach, also check the weather reports as well. If you see anyone in trouble or you are not sure of their safety then call 999 and ask for the Coastguard

Happisburgh Currently Operates:

· D-Class, D - 813 Russell Pickering

· Community Water Safety Team

· Visitors Centre

· Shop

RNLI media contacts

Happisburgh Lifeboat Station Volunteer Press Officer Philip Smith:

Mobile 07766007936 E-mail [email protected]

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The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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