A Monthly Publication

By Geoff Needham, LPO Hunstanton RNLI

As another year draws to a close, we can look back and reflect on what our volunteer crews have been engaged in, for us at Hunstanton, August and September were our busy period, the fact that we were able to carry out these tasks is down to the support given to the RNLI.  On behalf of Robin and the crew at Hunstanton we hope you all had a good Christmas, and we wish you all a Happy New Year, also a big thank you to all those who have worked so hard in  organising events raising funds, the local businesses and individuals who support us throughout. 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 138,000 lives.  I would also like to say a big thank you to Elaine for allowing us the space in the Hunstanton newsletter to keep the town informed of the incidents our crews and craft are involved in, and help to get the sea safety message to the vast number of tourists that the area depends on.  Hunstanton newsletter is a success story that the town and surrounding villages can raise their glasses to, well done Elaine.

On the 25th November at 11.25 a.m. Hunstanton Lifeboat volunteer crew were paged to go to the aid of a kite surfer reported to be in trouble of Holme beach, the alarm had been raised by a fellow kiter using the emergency phone on the outer wall of the boathouse and reporting direct to Yarmouth Coastguard, as the tractor went through the gap on to the beach the crew were informed by the kiter who made the call  the position of the person in trouble, and directed them towards the position about a mile down the beach off Holme, on arrival it was confirmed that he had been helped ashore by another kiter, on confirming that no other person was in trouble the crew returned to station, though this incident turned out OK it was treated just the same as all incidents are when the pagers go off, RNLI volunteer crews respond  without hesitation.

Friday 11th Dec. the crew and guests gathered at Searles Country Club for the crews Christmas dinner, Gavin, on behalf of the crew would like to thank the staff at the Country Club for an excellent evening, Robin, the stations Lifeboat operation's Manager read out a letter from headquarters commending the crew and all at the station for their part in the twelve hour service on 14th Aug 2009 to a cabin cruiser, praising the crew for their dedication to the RNLI. Volunteer crewmen Mike Darby and Steve Garside were presented with certificates of long service and a long service badge, in recognition of 20 years service and dedication to serving the RNLI.

  Leesa Espley crew member Hunstanton Lifeboat and Hovercraft will be running in the 2010 Virgin London Marathon on the 25th April 2010 helping to raise money for the RNLI, to sponsor Leesa and help save lives at sea log on to www.justgiving.com  and enter Leesa Espley in the sponsor a friend box, or contact Leesa for an official sponsor form, on 01485 570742

.             The January 31st 1953 tidal floods that caused so much death and destruction in this area, search and rescue was not top of the list, it brought out the best in people who did so much with so little to help those who were caught up in such terrifying conditions, today we are better prepared with agencies ready to put into operation a proper co-ordinated rescue plan.

The recent floods in Cumbria,  RNLI volunteers help rescue over two hundred people, the teams from the charity were working throughout in 'horrendous conditions' after record breaking rainfall swamped part of northern England.  Dozens of people were rescued from flooded homes in Cockermouth, where flood water was surging through the streets at speeds of up to 25 knots, and was so high in places that people were being rescued from first floor windows. Police said that water levels in Cockermouth centre had reached more than 2.5 mtr (8ft 2") 

The RNLI  Flood Rescue Team was formed in 2000 from volunteers from various stations in the UK and Republic of Ireland and consists of three teams of up to twenty people, which rotate their state of readiness.  One team is on 24-hr stand-by, the second is at 14 days readiness and the third acts as a reserve pool.   All teams are ready to travel to assist in flood relief work at home and across the globe. All Flood Rescue team members and some lifeboat crews who live in flood prone areas, undergo specialised swift-water rescue training, which prepares them for the complex behaviour of floodwaters and rivers which are different to the conditions our volunteers usually face at sea.  RNLI inshore lifeboats are capable of operating in the current conditions as they have engines strong enough to cope with the speed of the water.  They take part in annual exercises to keep their skills and knowledge up to date.

The cost of Flood Rescue deployment is generally borne by the UK's Department for International Development.  However, the equipment, training, management and logistics can only be provided because of the continued generosity of the public towards the RNLI.

Goodyear, the tyre company, is helping to fund this specialist training and equipment.  The company is passionate about safety, and proud to support the Flood Rescue Team.

For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk

Editor’s note: Thank you for your kind words. I know that readers like to hear about what our lifeboat crew is doing and appreciate the monthly reports.