Wells RNLI inshore lifeboat investigates object in the sea off Blakeney
At 12:50pm on Sunday 24 August, Humber Coastguard contacted Wells lifeboat station’s Launch Authority following reports of an unidentified object floating in the sea off Blakeney Harbour.
The initial report had been made by the National Trust warden on Blakeney Point. As the Coastguard was unable to access the object due to its offshore location, and with concerns it could be linked to casualties, Wells inshore lifeboat was requested to launch.
Wells RNLI volunteer crew were paged at 12:59pm and launched at 1:24pm from the Holkham Bay low-water launch site with three crew onboard.
On arrival in the Blakeney harbour approaches, the crew located the object, which was found to be tethered to an anchored fishing buoy. At 1:37pm they identified it as an inverted four-metre hovercraft.
The crew righted the craft and secured a tow line, commencing the tow back towards Wells at 2:20pm. By 3:50pm the lifeboat and tow were holding position off Wells harbour entrance, waiting for the first of the flood tide.
In the meantime, it was established that the hovercraft was one of several taking part in a fundraising event. The craft had got into difficulties off Blakeney, before being buoyed off and abandoned with the assistance of a local fisherman. All crew were accounted for safe and required no medical attention.
At 5:00pm the inshore lifeboat continued into Wells harbour, landing the hovercraft into the care of a representative of the local hovercraft association at 5:25pm.
The lifeboat was ashore at 5:30pm, before being recovered, washed down, refuelled and made ready for service again by 6:15pm.
RNLI Media contacts For more information, please contact Jess Curtis, RNLI and Regional Engagements North and East, Lifeboat Press Officer at Wells: Tel 07483488243 Email: [email protected] contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
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