Hunstanton RNLI hosts joint emergency exercise with HM Coastguard

Sunday 4 May 2025

An jet skier has fallen from their craft and is floating out to sea injured and possibly unconscious.

Volunteers from Hunstanton lifeboat station and coastguards from Hunstanton and Sutton Bridge pictured with a search and rescue mannequin used in the joint exercise

That was one of the demanding scenarios lifeboat and coastguard teams carried out during a joint exercise at Hunstanton on 4 May.

Lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk and search and rescue hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer took part, along with coastguard teams from Hunstanton and Sutton Bridge.

Coastguards tasked the lifeboat to find and recover a mannequin floating offshore in a stiff north-easterly wind, in which choppy seas reduced the crew's visibility.

But by using nearby cliffs as a vantage point, the coastguard team were able to see the simulated casualty using powerful binoculars.

They could then direct the lifeboat using a technique known as conning on to provide precise instructions to guide them to the mannequin.

After three successful recovery attempts thanks to the eyes on the cliff top, the lifeboat was recovered and returned to station with the casualty, who was then handed over to the coastguards to carry out casualty care in the boathouse.

Along the beach, hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer was tasked on a mud rescue simulation, with its crew and coastguards taking turns at extracting, recovering and caring for the casualty.

Hunstanton RNLI lifeboat operations manager Mike Gould said: 'It was a great joint exercise in multi-agency communication and collaboration.'

Editor's Notes

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

In 2024, its volunteers launched on 34 shouts and aided 27 people.

Some 22 were carried out by the lifeboat and 12 by the hovercraft.

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 media contacts

For more information call Chris Bishop, Hunstanton RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07584 147219 or Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, North and East on 07824 518641 or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

Hunstanton lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk returning to station with the simulated casualty on board

The lifeboat crew hand the 'casualty' over to the coastguards

Coastguards carry out casualty care at the Hunstanton RNLI boathouse

The mud rescue exercise in progress on the beach at Old Hunstanton

Coastguards and hovercraft crew compare notes during the simulated mud rescue

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 146,000 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.

Hunstanton RNLI hosts joint emergency exercise with HM Coastguard

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