Wells RNLI inshore lifeboat responds to emergency beacon activation in harbour

Volunteer lifeboat crew were paged at 10.52pm and launched outside the boathouse with a crew of three at 11.10pm.

The crew proceeded down the harbour channel, arriving on scene at 11.14pm. After making contact with the vessel, they were able to confirm that all was well onboard and no crew were missing. As a precaution, additional checks were also made on two nearby vessels.

With no cause for concern and investigations indicating that the beacon had been activated in error, the lifeboat was stood down at 11.33pm and returned to station.

The inshore lifeboat was recovered ashore at 11.39pm and made ready for service again by midnight after being washed down, refuelled and rehoused.

Chris Hardy, Wells RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said:
'This was a good outcome and a reminder of the importance of checking your safety equipment regularly. It’s always better to respond to a false alarm than to miss a genuine emergency. The crew did a great job and we’re pleased to have been able to confirm that no one was in danger.'

Notes to editors

Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has released its rescue figures for 2024, revealing its lifeboat crews and lifeguards saved a total of 437 lives last year – more than one life saved for every day of the year.

RNLI lifeboats launched 9,141 times in 2024, and helped 17,068 people

The charity’s lifeboat crews and beach lifeguards saved a total of 437 lives last year*

RNLI data – captured between January and December 2024 – highlights the continuing high demand for the services of volunteer lifeboat crews, with 9,141 lifeboat launches over the course of the year, and 17,068 people helped out of dangerous situations at the coast. RNLI lifeboat crews saved the lives of 352 people over the course of 2024, whilst the charity’s lifeguards saved 85 lives on beaches around the UK, assisting over 17,000 more.

For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.

RNLI Media contacts For more information please telephone Jess Curtis, RNLI Media Engagement placement North and East. Volunteer Press Officer Wells RNLI on 07483488243 or [email protected] contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

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.