Happisburgh RNLI called into action to assist four people and three dogs
Happisburgh RNLI was paged at 3.40pm on Saturday 20 January by HM Coastguard to a 999 call reporting four people and three dogs cut off by the sea. Russell Pickering, the station's D class lifeboat, was made ready to launch with four volunteer crew members on board.
The people and dogs were cut off by the tide on the beach below Happisburgh Lighthouse.
During what was Happisburgh RNLI's first call out of the year, the lifeboat made its way to the location where, on arrival, the helm, Pete Walker, assessed the area and beach. The boat was some distance from the casualties due to the debris on the beach; two of the crew walked through water to get to the casualties who were all uninjured, just wet and cold.
With the lifeboat secured on the beach the remaining two crew went to the casualties with lifejackets and helped them through the water to safety with the dogs. The crew were joined by Bacton Coastguard; the lifeboat was made ready to evacuate the people from the beach, but the Coastguard were able to assist the people off the beach.
The Russell Pickering then returned to station where it was cleaned and refuelled ready for service at 5.20pm.
This was the first call out for Pete Walker as helm, Harry Ronald as crew and Alix Symonds as shore crew.
Happisburgh Community Water Safety Team said: 'Please take extra care when walking on the beaches around Norfolk; with all the storms we have had the beaches have changed and access points have changed with the erosion that has happened.
'Please walk with others, not by yourself and have a means of calling for help; check tide times and the weather forecast. Also let someone know where you are going and the time you intend getting back. Enjoy our wonderful coastline but stay safe and if you should have any problems call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.'
RNLI Picture caption
The photo of crew from this rescue shows L to R: Ellis Speirs, Harry Ronald, Tom Hunn and Pete Walker. Credit: Happisburgh RNLI.
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Happisburgh Lifeboat Station Volunteer Press Officer Philip Smith:
Mobile: 07766007936 email: [email protected]
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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.
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