Cromer Tamar RNLB Lester launches to search for yacht off the North Norfolk coast.

The pagers sounded at 22:58 for an immediate ALB Launch this evening summoning the crew to the boathouse.

Great Yarmouth Coastguard requested the station to carry out a search for a yacht that had been out of radio contact for more than an hour. The vessel had been seen earlier in the evening unsuccessfully attempting to anchor yards from the east beach off Cromer, and later heading off towards Wells.

As soon as the crew had assembled the lifeboat entered the water at 23:12 and headed west approx. 1nm off the coast at 10 knots all the while keeping a watchful eye out the the casualty vessel using the night vision equipment and radar aboard the new lifeboat to assist the crew.

Meanwhile the Wells and Sheringham lifeboats were launched to their respective coastal areas to hopefully located the casualty vessel as soon as possible, Coastguard Rescue Teams were also deployed along the coast to carry out a search from the landward side.

At approx. 23:35 the casualty vessel was located by the Wells lifeboat.

At 23:41 Cromer lifeboat was stood down by Yarmouth Coastguard and proceeded back towards the pier end station for recovery.  The shore crew meanwhile were preparing the slipway in cold and windy conditions ready to greet the returning lifeboat.

Arriving at the slipway at 00:00 the coxswain and crew began the task of maeouvering the lifeboat stern first towards the slipway using the veering buoys in difficult conditions. At 00:25 the lifeboat had been washed down and was yet again ready for service.

Crew on Board

J. Davies (Coxswain)

A. Woods

P Watling (Mechanic)

A. Barker 

S. Gasse

R. Kirk

N. Lowe

Shore Crew

G. Stallard ( Head Launcher)

Turkey Ted  (Winchman)

P. Russell 

C. Gill 

M. Brown

M. Steward

G. Nichols

C. Davis

C. Begley

A. Lincoln

 C. Rogers

D. Heir

I. Chambers

W. Amy

R. Leeds

P. Stibbons

R. Davies (DLA)