Hunstanton and Skegness lifeboats called out during emergency services display
Two lifeboats were scrambled on a shout during a display at an emergency services day.
Hunstanton's inshore craft Spirit of West Norfolk and Skegness RNLI's Shannon Class all-weather vessel
Joel and April Grunnill were carrying out practise drills off the beach at Old Hunstanton on Sunday, 7 September, when an emergency call came in at 10:45am.
Both crews were tasked to reports of a 27ft cruiser in difficulty with a man and a dog on board in the mouth of the River Nene around 15 miles away by sea.
After locating the casualty vessel, it was agreed the safest option was for the Hunstanton crew to tow it to a safe anchorage and wait for the tide to turn, before assisting its return to Boston.
After mooring the cruiser off Old Hunstanton Beach, the skipper and his dog - who were both uninjured - were brought ashore and handed over to the care of HM Coastguard volunteers.
The lifeboat returned to station shortly after 2pm to be refuelled and checked over, before launching again to continue the operation some three hours later.
The cruiser was towed across The Wash to Boston, where it arrived at 9pm, after assisting the vessel to a safe mooring, the Hunstanton crew then returned to station, arriving home at 10.15pm.
Skegness crew were also paged at 5.30pm to assist a second cruiser in difficulty in The Wash, which was also towed into Boston as the safest option.
The lifeboat returned to station shortly after 2pm to be refuelled and checked over, before launching again to continue the operation some three hours later.
The cruiser was towed across The Wash to Boston, where it arrived at 9pm, after assisting the vessel to a safe mooring, the Hunstanton crew then returned to station, arriving home at 10.15pm.
Skegness crew were also paged at 5.30pm to assist a second cruiser in difficulty in The Wash, which was also towed into Boston as the safest option.
The drama began during an emergency services day hosted by Hunstanton RNLI to showcase the work of both volunteer and full-time personnel who help to keep our coastline safe.
Search and rescue colleagues from HM Coastguard, the National Coastwatch Institution and British Divers Marine Life Rescue were in attendance, along with police, fire and ambulance services and the Environment Agency.
All work together with the RNLI to help keep the coast safe for people and wildlife all year round.
With both lifeboats on an emergency call, Hunstanton RNLI's hovercraft took to the beach for some practise drills, watched by a large crowd, many of whom came to view the craft afterwards and quiz its crew.
Young visitors and their parents also enjoyed a special session of Storm Force - the lifeboat station's kids' club, which teaches vital water safety messages to children.
The event was organised by Kate Craven, Hunstanton RNLI's visits and water safety lead.
'There was a wonderful community spirit celebrating all those who keep our community and our coastline safe for everyone to enjoy,' she said.
'It was also great to welcome our colleagues from other emergency services, many of whom are also volunteers.
'Thanks to all who attended, they all play a vital role, alongside our local police, fire and ambulance teams.
'We all work together, whether we're educating the public about the dangers of being cut off by the tide or responding to emergencies to make sure everyone goes home safe.'
Among hundreds of visitors was North West Norfolk's MP James Wild, who spoke to teams taking part about their different roles.
'It's a great demonstration by all of the services from the RNLI to the Environment Agency, who all work together keep people safe,' he said.
Editor's Notes
Hunstanton lifeboat station operates the fast inshore lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk and the search and rescue hovercraft
Hunstanton Flyer.
Its volunteers cover The Wash - a 200-square-mile estuary fed by five main rivers, along with parts of the Norfolk and Lincolnshire coastline with support from their flanking stations at Wells and Skegness.
The trio of stations boast an array of craft ranging from inshore lifeboats to all-weather vessels, ensuring they are equipped to deal with everything from people getting cut off by the tide or finding themselves in danger off our shores to major search and rescue operations out at sea.
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, who help keep their craft ready to launch 24/7, 365 days of the year.
RNLI Images
Pictures from the day attached.
Please note credit: RNLI/Chris Bishop
RNLI Media Contacts
For more information call Chris Bishop, Hunstanton RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07584 147219 or 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.
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