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Wells RNLI assist two people and dog cut off by tide

Lifeboats News Release

Monday 23 June Wells inshore lifeboat Peter Wilcox was tasked by Humber Coastguard at 2.23pm to assist two people and a dog who had become cut off by the tide on the sand bank forming the northerly part of Wells beach.

Wells RNLI D class lifeboat Peter Wilcox heading out of harbour to sandbank blue skies and open water

RNLI/Ray West

Wells RNLI attend fourth cut off by the tide in three days
Wells RNLI inshore lifeboat left the boathouse at 2.30pm with a volunteer crew of three and launched from the north slipway at 2.32pm.

Once launched, Peter Wilcox proceeded out through the harbour channel and quickly arrived on scene at 2.34pm. The crew confirmed that the two people and their dog were well and did not require medical attention. All three were helped on board and take safely back to the boathouse by 2.48pm.

Mandy Humphreys Wells RNLI Water Safety Officer said: ‘ Between Brancaster and Cley the remote parts of the beach are made up of a series of interlocking sandbars. These sandbars are separated from the main part of the beach by potentially deep drains. On Wells beach, for example, these drains are up to two metres deep! They have steep sides and can have a muddy base meaning it is very easy to lose your footing if you try to wade through the fast moving water.

Mandy continued ‘Tidal cut off is a real risk in this area.
To avoid tidal cut off get back to the main part of the beach, dry sand/land at least four hours before Wells bar high tide time.
I know four hours sounds like a long time but the water really does come in very quickly here.

If you do get cut off by the tide, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Please don't wade through water that is more than knee deep. There is enough power there to take your feet out from under you and put you at risk of drowning.’

After returning to station, the inshore lifeboat was washed down, refuelled, rehoused and ready for service again by 3.10pm.

Inshore lifeboat Peter Wilcox heading to casualties cut off by incoming tide Three RNLI volunteers on inshore lifeboat in full inshore lifeboat kit.

RNLI/Ray West

Inshore lifeboat Peter Wilcox heading to casualties cut off by incoming tide
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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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About the author

Jess Curtis Wells RNLI press officer

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