Happisburgh RNLI volunteers called to a cruiser that had lost power

HM Coastguard Humber paged the crew at 1.50pm to assist the craft which had lost power and was being pushed towards the beach and groins with two people onboard.

Russell Pickering, Happisburgh's D class, was made ready and launched at 2pm with Chris Risby on helm, Peter Walker and Ellis Speirs as crew.

Making best speed, they arrived alongside the cruiser and ascertained both people on board were well and both wearing lifejackets. Chris Risby assessed the situation and with the cruiser being pushed towards the beach and groins decided to attach a tow. The crew quickly rigged the tow and were able to tow the cruiser away from the beach to around one mile out to sea into calmer conditions. The crew wouldn’t have been able to safely tow the cruiser to a port so called HMC Humber and requested a larger Lifeboat to take over the tow.

Happisburgh Lifeboat was able to keep the cruiser in a safe position until Caister Lifeboat arrived on scene and the tow was handed over to them to take the cruiser to Lowestoft. At 5pm Caister Lifeboat had passed Caister en route to Lowestoft.

Russell Pickering returned to station at 3.15pm, was cleaned and refuelled and ready for service.

Chris Risby said: ‘It was great to help people in trouble, the whole crew worked well together and it’s nice to work with other Lifeboat crews’.

Happisburgh RNLI Lifeboat Station is hosting its Lifeboat Day on Sunday 6 August 2023 12-4pm. Join us to celebrate the RNLI and help us save lives at sea. There will be performances from Sheringham Shanty Men plus food and drinks will be available together with raffles, meet the crew and see how you could become part of our CREW, Water Safety advice will available, The souvenir shop will also be open.

RNLI media contacts:

Happisburgh Lifeboat Station Volunteer Press Officer PHILIP SMITH

Mobile 07766007936 E-mail [email protected]

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 142,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.