05/11/2021
We received our 5th callout in 12 days yesterday afternoon.
Wells inshore lifeboat was paged to assist two people and their dog who had got into the difficulties whilst walking on Wells Beach. They dialled 999 and asked for the Coastguard when they found themselves cut off by the incoming tide in the stormy weather.
The Wells inshore lifeboat launched outside the boathouse with a volunteer crew of three, and proceeded out of the harbour toward the West side of Wells beach. The weather conditions were far from ideal, with squalls of driving rain from the North and the wind gusting force 6 to 7 at times.
The stranded people could be seen from the lifeboat station, and at the time of launching the lifeboat, they were already up to their knees in the tide flooding across the sand. With breaking seas to windward, the inshore lifeboat was able to reach them by accessing calmer waters in a drain to the south.
The water was already at waist height, and the two people and the dog were quickly recovered. The crew ascertained that other than being very cold and wet, the party was well, so set course for the boathouse. The party was met by the local Coastguard team before being taken into the boathouse to get warm and dry.
The photograph below shows the new sandbar which is catching people out. Please take care when out walking at low tide, as this area of sand becomes cut off very quickly when the tide turns.