Sheringham RNLI lifeboat and RNLI lifeguards involved in multi-agency operation

Sheringham RNLI’s lifeboat ‘The Oddfellows’ B 818 was Launched on Sunday 28 July 2019.

At 5.38pm the Sheringham lifeboat was tasked by Humber Coastguard to assist local Coastguards and RNLI lifeguards in their efforts to release a person trapped in a rock groyne on Sheringham east beach.

The casualty had been swimming with his children but when leaving the sea just after high water via the steps near the rock groyne he was knocked off the steps by a heavy swell as he helped the children up the steps.

The casualty fell off the steps and got his foot caught between the large rocks. His friends whilst protecting him from the waves called the charity’s lifeguards who stayed in the water with the casualty whilst the Coastguards were called who then called the lifeboat and other emergency services to assist.

The lifeboat and most of the crew who were not on the lifeboat attended the scene to assist with the complicated rescue wearing the dry suits in the water to assist the casualty.

The emergency services comprising:- HMCG, RNLI, Police, Fire Service, Doctor, Ambulance and Paramedic were all involved in the successful rescue when the casualty was finally released.

This was a textbook demonstration of a successful Emergency Services collaboration.

RNLI Media contacts

For more information please contact Dick Grieve, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on: 07884 495155.

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 over 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 or by email.