Rescue Lifeboat UK

Independent Lifeboats, coastguards and the rescue helicopter from RAF Wattisham were all involved in a successful search for a missing man on Sunday evening.

A major coastline search was sparked after the man went missing at Walcott.

Police said they received reports shortly before 9pm of the missing man, who may have been in the sea.

Coastguard search teams, both the D class and B class RNLI lifeboats at Happisburgh and the independent lifeboat at Mundesley were all involved.

The man was found knee-deep in the water at Ostend, between Walcott and Happisburgh, shortly after 10pm.

Source: northnorfolknews.co.uk

It was a David and Goliath story befitting villagers who had earned their reputation through brave sacrifice as the men who “never turn back”.

When the RNLI decided to end its 100 year relationship with Caister, near Great Yarmouth, there was really only one course of action for a community whose collective spirit had been toughened over centuries by the harsh North Sea - run their own independent lifeboat station.

Read more: 40 years of independence for Caister Lifeboat

THE lifeboat-loving Sheringham Shantymen gave a series of fundraising concerts across the West Wight, helping to raise £2,500 for the Freshwater Independent Lifeboat (FIL).

Their sea shanties hit the right note with audiences, who were happy to put their hands in their pockets to help the FIL raise money for a new self-righting lifeboat.

Founded in 1990 by a group of lifeboat men and friends, the Sheringham Shantymen have travelled all over Europe and America, giving concerts in aid of both independent lifeboats and RNLI lifeboats. They have performed at maritime festivals  and appeared on television.

"The shows were brilliant, we only heard good things from the audiences," said John Steggles, of the FIL fundraising committee.

"The Shantymen loved the Island, so hopefully they will come back to sing again.

"We are very grateful to everyone who helped out and made donations."

Source: iwcp.co.uk

THEY are unsung lifeboat crew of the sea and now they need your help to stay afloat.

Dedicated members of a voluntary lifeboat service say they need urgent funding to help them continue to save lives in the North East.

The cash-strapped crew of The Abbie Deans Spirit of Blyth and Wansbeck all-weather lifeboat (BAWLB), which is docked in Blyth, are on-call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Read more: Blyth Volunteer Lifeboat Service funding crisis