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Hemsby Lifeboat

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Hemsby Lifeboat is a fully independent Lifeboat operating at sea, off the Hemsby Coast in Norfolk, an We depend entirely on donations from the public.

Hemsby Lifeboat as we are best known, is a voluntary lifeboat service. We are not part of the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI), nor do we receive any funding from them, we receive no government grants and none of our members receive any remuneration. Saving lives at Sea and on the beautiful Norfolk Broads with our two lifeboats. We are on call 24 hours per day, 365 days a year to help persons in distress.

21/07/2026

A massive thank you to Stuart, Toni, Ann, the staff, customers, and holiday guests at Seadell Shop and Holiday Chalets for raising an incredible £675 in support of our lifeboat service.

This generous donation will help us continue operating this vital community asset and ensure we can be there for those in need.

The owners, staff, customers, and holiday guests at Seadell have supported our service for many years, and their continued generosity has made a real difference to the people we help. We are truly grateful for your ongoing support.

Stuart Reeve from Seadell Shop and Holiday Chalets said:

"We would like to thank our fantastic holiday chalet guests and shop customers for their continued donations towards our local lifeboat service. We must also thank our team of staff, who actively talk about the lifeboat service and make sure every donation, big or small, is recognised and appreciated."

From everyone at the lifeboat service, thank you all for your amazing support. It really does make a difference.

20/07/2026

Incident Callout – Belaugh 8/7/26

Hemsby Broads Rescue was paged by HM Coastguard to reports of a disturbance on board a vessel at Belaugh.

Our crew made way to the reported location and, once the vessel was located, passed details to HM Coastguard at the agreed rendezvous (RV) point. We then returned to the RV point to meet with Norfolk Police and HM Coastguard personnel.

Two Norfolk Police officers were transferred by our rescue boat to the vessel. The occupants was removed from the boat to a safe location.

Following the incident, Hemsby Broads Rescue transported the police officers back to the RV point before making a final trip to secure the boat.

Our thanks go to Norfolk Police for their professionalism and teamwork throughout the incident.

07/07/2026

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING LIFEBOAT DAY & HERRING FESTIVAL 2026

Just like Glastonbury, Hemsby Lifeboat are taking a break from our traditional events of Lifeboat Day and Herring Festival in 2026.

We know that this will come as a real disappointment to many who have enjoyed the regular summer events that the lifeboat host. However this decision was not taken lightly. Unfortunately due to the coastal erosion we have deemed that it is not safe to host either event with the little amount of space we have remaining.

The trustees, crew and volunteers are working hard on the relocation of the service which has to be the main priority this year so that we can continue to save lives of those who need our help.

We would like to thank you all for your support and understanding and we promise that next year we will be hosting a bigger and better event for you all!

We hope that you all enjoy your summer holidays and remember to stay safe.

06/07/2026

Hemsby Lifeboat Tasking

Hemsby Broads Rescue was paged following reports of a vulnerable male threatening to jump from Wroxham Bridge.
Our crew responded to Wroxham and upon arrival maintained a safe distance from the casualty while supporting the incident.
The casualty was then safely taken into the care of the ambulance service, and our crew was subsequently stood down.
Our thanks go to Winterton and Bacton Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT), the police, and the East of England Ambulance Service for their support and professionalism throughout the incident.
We wish the casualty all the very best.

03/07/2026

Hemsby Broads Rescue – Callout – River Yare – 01/07/2026

Hemsby Broads Rescue was paged by HM Coastguard (Humber) at 20:57 on Wednesday evening to reports of a vessel listing on the River Yare.
The crew proceeded to Brundall Marina, where we launched our rescue boat and made our way to the casualty vessel. On arrival, we liaised with a colleague of Vessel Hire company, who had already safely taken one occupant aboard their vessel.
Our crew then located and recovered the second occupant from the riverbank before transferring both occupants back to Brundall Marina, into the care of Gorleston Coastguard.
We would like to thank the teams from Gorleston Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) and Winterton Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) for their assistance throughout the incident, as well as the hire company representative for their prompt actions before our arrival.
A great example of agencies working together to ensure a safe outcome for everyone involved

07/06/2026

COMMUNITY UPDATE: Our next chapter (and why it matters)

Over the last few years, Hemsby Lifeboat has stood shoulder to shoulder with the community through some incredibly challenging conditions caused by coastal erosion and severe weather. Despite a few opposing voices, our trustees and volunteers have spent countless hours supporting local residents—sometimes working 24 hours non-stop alongside other agencies and volunteers—helping with evacuations, relocations, and beach clearing to keep people safe.

We always knew that one day the same reality could reach our own doorstep. That day is now very close. We are, quite literally, one storm away from having to permanently vacate our current station.

So, while the work on the beach continues, we want you to know this: behind the scenes, we have been planning carefully and responsibly, with the service's long-term future in mind.

And because we now have a clear pathway forward, it’s time to share the facts and put the rumours to bed.

What’s happening?

Over the last ten years, we’ve been raising funds for our station, originally to upgrade the current building. But as the situation changed, it became clear the current location would not remain viable, and the search began for a new home.

We can now confirm that we have recently purchased the freehold of a building on Beach Road—previously a diner/café, empty for several years and, frankly, an eyesore.

We’ve appointed architects and are working towards converting it into a Community Lifeboat Station, a place that supports lifesaving operations and gives something back to the wider community.

The plan (in simple terms)

The building will be developed into three key areas:

1. Operational Lifeboat Station
A dedicated base for Hemsby Lifeboat to continue our search and rescue work, with our average call-out count year on year at 47 taskings.

2. New Lifeboat Shop + public viewing/seating area
A welcoming space with comfortable seating, a viewing area, and beverages and light snacks available to visitors, helping raise vital funds and giving people a reason to pop in, say hello, and support the crew.

3. Shared community space
A clean, safe and interesting meeting place for local groups, community support meetings, local events, and a welcoming meeting point for our retired population and others who need a friendly space with light refreshments.

What about the time it will take?

We want to be realistic: this work will take time. So we also have a contingency plan for a fallback station if we need to move quickly, ensuring we can remain on active service for His Majesty’s Coastguard and continue our search-and-rescue objectives, just as we have done for the last 50 years.

Our focus hasn’t changed

Even with the challenges of erosion and a few unhelpful social media posts, our focus remains the same: saving lives.

Our two most recent call-outs included:

The rescue of three people who ran aground on a converted sailboat; and

A multi-agency search for a swimmer more recently

We remain vigilant, proud, and committed, and we’re grateful for the continued support from the community that makes this possible.

We’re here. We’re committed. And we’re ready and able to continue serving our community and everyone who visits this coastline.

More updates will follow as plans progress. Thank you for standing with us.

08/05/2026

It is with great sadness that we share the news that we have lost a much-loved member of our shop team, and the mother of one of our senior crew, Anthea.

Anthea will be greatly missed by all of us at Hemsby Lifeboat. We offer our deepest sympathies to her family and friends at this incredibly difficult time, and we thank Anthea for her service, friendship, and everything she gave to our station over the years.

Anthea passed away on Friday, 24th April.

The family have informed us that Anthea will be laid to rest on Friday, 29th of May at St Mary’s Church, Hemsby, at 11:00 am, followed by a celebration of her life at The King’s Head, Hemsby.

It was Anthea’s wish that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hemsby Lifeboat, as it was a massive part of her life. We will be forever grateful for her service and support, and honoured to be part of her legacy.

Rest in peace, Anthea. You will always be part of the Hemsby Lifeboat family.

From all the Crew, Shop Team and Volunteers.

05/03/2026

A Celebration of the life of Maurice Watts.

Further to our recent post, we shared the news of the passing of our retired Chairman, Maurice.

Maurice gave so much to the Hemsby Lifeboat, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him. The lifeboat has been informed by Maurice’s family that there will be a Celebration of his Life held on:

Saturday 21st March
From 13:30
The Bell Public House, Hemsby

The Bell is a particularly meaningful place for us all — it was here, fifty years ago, that the Hemsby Lifeboat was formed.

There is an open invitation to everyone who knew Maurice, and to all supporters and followers of the lifeboat, to join us on the 21st to celebrate his life and to share the many stories — funny, inspirational, and everything in between — that capture the man Maurice was.

There will also be a book of condolences available for guests to add their thoughts and memories.

We hope you can join us to give Maurice the fine farewell he deserves.

28/02/2026

Are you looking for a new challenge and at the same time volunteer to help your local Lifeboat?

24/02/2026

HEMSBY LIFEBOAT – TRIBUTE TO MAURICE WATTS

It is with deep sadness that we share the news that our recently retired Chairman, Maurice Watts, passed away yesterday. Maurice’s loss will be felt profoundly by his family, friends, and across the entire extended lifeboat family.

This year marks 50 years since Hemsby Lifeboat began, and it is impossible to tell the story of those years without speaking Maurice’s name with pride and gratitude.

Today, we want to pay tribute to Maurice from three voices: our Coxswain, our Chairman, and all our crew and volunteers.

From Daniel, Coxswain

“The day you never expect to come.”

Maurice, you have been a true friend—and a legend. I always looked up to you as a leader. I will never forget you: the smoke, the laughter, and the lovely words you always had for people.

The news has brought tears to my eyes, but I know you are no longer in pain. Thank you for taking me under your wing—showing me the ropes, the fish preparation, and for teaching me so much. I learned more from you than you’ll ever know.

My thoughts are with Sam, Kevin and Molly on this heartbreaking day. I know how much Maurice loved you all.

From the Chairman, Hemsby Independent Lifeboat.

While we all knew this day would come, it does not make it any easier to bear.

We have lost a founder, a friend, a font of knowledge and experience, and without doubt, an entertainer of note throughout the extended lifeboat family.

Maurice was a true gentleman who spent most of his life serving others, through his long career as a firefighter and as a lifeboatman for more than 50 years. But words cannot fully convey the character of the man. He spoke his mind plainly and often, but he was also a gentle soul who never stopped giving.

When I first joined the service 13 years ago, he treated me as a friend. Later, he became my trusted guide as I rose through the ranks from crew to helm to trustee, and eventually took over his role as Chair. Make no mistake: failing health and retirement did nothing to dilute his passion and loyalty to the boat and its crew.

In life, as we plough our own path, we meet those who are born to guide and born to inspire. Maurice was one of the good ones, and despite this devastating loss, he will remain my guide.

Thank you, Maurice, for everything: for your service, your guidance, your sage advice, and the many laughs along the way. We will ensure your name and reputation live on in the future of the Hemsby Lifeboat Service.

So while the entire crew says our final farewell, we cannot be sad, only because yours was a life well lived and has set an example for us all.

Rest easy, Maurice. Your job is complete. Your students—armed with your wisdom and support—will continue in your name.

From all the Crew and Volunteers

Maurice was part of the very foundations of Hemsby Lifeboat and part of the heart of our station for decades. His dedication, knowledge, humour, and unwavering loyalty helped shape generations of crew and volunteers.

We will miss him more than we can say—but we will carry him with us in the work we do, the standards we keep, and the way we look after one another. We send our heartfelt condolences to the Family and Friends of our dear friend.

Thank you, Maurice.
Rest in peace.

Address

Hemsby Lifeboat Station
Great Yarmouth
NR294HS

Telephone

01493 731641 (shed)

Website

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