Wells Shannon Class Lifeboat Launches to Assist Forty-Two Foot Motor Cruiser

The volunteer crew were paged at 9.16am and the Shannon-class lifeboat launched from the North Slipway at 9.45am on a flooding tide. The lifeboat made best speed to the casualty vessel’s location, arriving on scene at 10.22am.

Upon locating the vessel a volunteer crew member was transferred aboard Challenger 2 to assess the situation. With the vessel unable to free herself from the entanglement, the lifeboat commenced a short tow at 10.55am to help facilitate removal of the fishing gear from the propeller.

Once the obstruction was successfully cleared, the motor cruiser conducted sea trials to confirm full propulsion had been restored. With everything deemed in working order, Challenger 2 was able to proceed under her own power at 11.08am.

From a safety perspective, Duke of Edinburgh remained with the cruiser and escorted her for the remainder of her passage toward Wells.

Both vessels entered Wells Harbour at 11.55am, and Challenger 2 was safely moored alongside by 12.10pm.

Chris Hardy, Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘Although the vessel was off Cromer when the call came in from HM Coastguard, it was on passage to Wells, which was its intended destination. As Wells is a designated safe haven harbour, our lifeboat was tasked to assist and support the vessel safely into port. The RNLI and HM Coastguard coordinates responses based on a number of factors, including the vessel’s location, direction of travel, and lifeboat availability and our stations often work closely together to ensure the best possible outcome for those in need.’

Duke of Edinburgh was ashore by 12.30pm and, following recovery, refuelling and a thorough wash down, was ready for service again by 1.30pm

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.

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