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Hunstanton RNLI in seven-hour search for swimmer

Lifeboats News Release

A Norfolk lifeboat station launched both its craft as part of a major search operation after a swimmer was seen in difficulty.

RNLI/Chris Bishop

Hunstanton lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk
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Volunteers at Hunstanton RNLI were paged just before 5:00pm on Monday, 25 August.

A witness had reported they had seen a man go under the water off the beach near the lifeboat station and not resurface.

RNLI lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk and hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer were both launched as the tide began to turn.

They searched of an area of sea and shoreline stretching from Old Hunstanton to Snettisham.

An HM Coastguard helicopter was also scrambled to assist in the operation.

Lifeboat and hovercraft crews continued searching until dusk, before returning to be relieved by fresh crews before the operation continued into the night.

The search was also joined by a fixed-wing coastguard aircraft, along with coastguard shore teams.

No trace of the swimmer was found.

Both RNLI craft returned to station at around midnight to be washed down, refuelled and made ready for their next service.

Editor's Notes

Hunstanton lifeboat station operates the fast inshore lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk and the search and rescue hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer.

The crew covers The Wash, a tidal estuary of some 200 square miles fed by five main rivers, along with parts of the north Norfolk coast.

Like more than 200 RNLI crews around the coast of the UK and Ireland, their lifesaving work would not be possible without the kindness of those who donate to the charity that saves lives at sea.

RNLI Images

Picture of RNLI hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer and lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk attached.

Please note credit: RNLI/Chris Bishop

RNLI Media Contacts

For more information call Chris Bishop, Hunstanton RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07584 147219 or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

RNLI/Chris Bishop

RNLI hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer
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Key facts about the RNLI

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.

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.

About the author

Chris Bishop
Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, Hunstanton

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