Hunstanton Coastguard Rescue Team

23/06/2026

We’ve been very busy recently, both with call-outs and ‘extra-curricular’. We had 5 call outs in 3 days, the reports for which are below.

🆘 Incident 🆘 # 50 of 2026

Thursday 18th June 00.43 hrs

The team was tasked to assist Norfolk police in a search of the cliffs at Old Hunstanton and Thornham. The Fire Service was also in attendance, using their drone.

Following a long and difficult search in darkness, the search was called off at 5am.

No further details will be given.

🆘 Incident 🆘 # 51 of 2026

Thursday 18th June 14.39 hrs

We were tasked to possible ordnance on Holme beach.

Upon arrival, the Officer in Charge talked to the first informant who was able to give a rough location of the objects. The team was deployed to search this area and also a further 200m sweep around these. This revealed 4 more suspect objects.

Photographs were taken and sent to Humber Control for assessment by Explosive Ordnance Disposal. EOD confirmed that these were of interest and that they would attend.

Due to the state of the tide, the objects would be covered before EOD could arrive, so the team maintained a safety cordon until this point. Arrangements were made to return the next day, at a time when EOD would be able to access and assess the objects.

The team was then stood down.

🆘 Incident 🆘 # 52 of 2026

Friday 19th June 05.53 hrs

The team was called to a person with a possible broken leg aboard a vessel anchored off Blakeney Point. Wells Coastguard Rescue Team and Wells RNLI were also called.

En route, the RV point was changed to Wells Coastguard Rescue Station, to await the decision as to where would be the best point for the RNLI to bring the casualty ashore.

Once Wells ILB was alongside the vessel, the crew decided that Morston Quay was the nearest and easiest point to bring the casualty ashore. Both Hunstanton and Wells CRTs then relocated to await the arrival of the casualty.

Due to the state of the tide, we had to wait for the harbour to be filled before the ILB could enter.

The casualty was assisted from the boat by both RNLI crew and CROs. As the assessment was a broken ankle, not leg, a family member drove the casualty to hospital for treatment.

All teams were stood down.

🆘 Incident 🆘 # 53 of 2026

Friday 19th June 14.00 hrs

The team was retasked to the ordnance on Holme beach.

The objects were relocated and a safety cordon was maintained until EOD arrived at 17.30 hrs.

Nine pieces of suspected ordnance were assessed by the EOD officer, who declared that they were safe, hard shot training rounds. They were removed by EOD for safe disposal at their base, so no big bang this time!

Humber Control was informed and the team stood down.

First ‘shout’ for Dan! He’ll get that new kit dirty quickly…

🆘 Incident 🆘 54 of 2026

Saturday 20th June 15.23 hrs

The team was tasked to assist Norfolk Constabulary with a search for a missing person in Hunstanton.

Shortly after arriving on scene, the team was informed that the person had been found, safe and well.

The team was stood down.

20/06/2026

❤️ Meet the Family Behind the Coastguard ❤️

When the pager goes off, a Coastguard Rescue Officer responds.

But they are not the only ones making a sacrifice.

Behind every Coastguard Rescue Officer is a partner left to finish dinner alone, a child wondering why Mum or Dad had to leave again, an employer covering at short notice, or a family celebration interrupted because someone, somewhere, needs help.

While Coastguard Rescue Officers are responding to incidents, attending training, carrying out water safety events, or maintaining their skills, their families are often the ones quietly making it possible.

They accept interrupted holidays, missed birthdays, late-night call-outs, and the uncertainty that comes with knowing a loved one may be heading into a challenging or hazardous situation.

They rarely wear a uniform. They don't carry a pager. They don't receive public recognition.

Yet without their support, many Coastguard Rescue Officers simply couldn't do what they do.

As we discuss the future of the Coastguard Rescue Service, let's remember that any changes don't just affect the Coastguard Rescue Officer. They affect the families, employers, and support networks that help keep this vital emergency service running.

So today, we'd like to say thank you.

Thank you to the husbands, wives, partners, children, parents, employers, friends, and families who support Coastguard Rescue Officers every day.

You may not wear the uniform, but you are part of the team too.

20/06/2026

Take care this weekend please.

It may be tempting to cool off in or near the water during a heatwave, but please take extra care when doing so ☀️

Swim at a lifeguarded beach where possible 🏖️

Take notice of the beach flags and safety signs 🚩

Stay within your limits when in the water 🌊

Never enter the water after drinking alcohol ❌

If you get into trouble, Float to Live 🛟

In an emergency at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

17/06/2026

On Monday evening, we welcomed our two newly-qualified team members, Jason and Dan. Here they are being presented with their well-earned callsign flashes by our Station Officer.
Then it was doughnuts all round and a bit of CERC training.

14/06/2026

Fantastic news this evening! Our two latest recruits have passed the final stages of their basic training and are now operational with the team. Many congratulations to Dan and Jason and a big welcome from us all. At last, you can be part of the action, and not just pretend casualties for our training!

There’s been three more call-outs over the past few days. Here are the reports.

🆘 Incident 🆘 # 47 of 2026

Thursday 11th June 16.17 hrs.

Hunstanton CRT was tasked to assist Norfolk Constabulary, East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust and Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service in King’s Lynn.

No further details will be given.

🆘 Incident 🆘 # 48 of 2026

Friday 12th June 08.34 hrs

The team was tasked to assist with a serious medical incident aboard a vessel at Wells quay.

Also called were Wells Coastguard Rescue Team and the ambulance service. The harbourmaster’s team was also in attendance.

The teams were required to extract the casualty from the boat to the waiting ambulance. The ambulance crew were on board administering critical care in order to stabilise the condition of the casualty before the move. Owing to the cramped conditions, a specialist stretcher was deployed to enable the casualty to be safely brought onto the pontoons of the inner harbour.

A safety system was rigged with ropes to ensure the safe passage of the stretcher up the slope to the quayside.

From there the casualty was transferred into the ambulance.

Humber control was advised that the extraction had been successful and both teams returned to base.

This was an excellent example of all working closely together to ensure a swift and successful extraction of the casualty into the onward care of the ambulance service.

🆘 Incident 🆘 # 49 of 2026

Saturday 13th June 14.55 hrs

The team was tasked to reports of two persons struggling in the water at Old Hunstanton.

As they arrived, Hunstanton RNLI lifeboat had just launched. It was then clear that the persons were now able to stand, so the lifeboat stood off whilst they made their way to the shore. They were met by the team, who did a quick assessment of their welfare. The persons confirmed that they had not been in trouble and were just enjoying a swim. Safety advice was given before the casualties left the scene.

The incident was classified as FAGI, false alarm good intent.

If you see someone in difficulty along the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

13/06/2026

Hunstanton Coastguard Rescue Team – What We Do

999 – Coastguard

Have you got a minute to refresh yourself on the role and capabilities of HM Coastguard in your local area?

🚨 We are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in all weathers

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Our Coastguard Rescue Station is located off the A149, providing excellent access to our operational area from King's Lynn to Brancaster, allowing us to respond quickly to emergencies along our coastline and beyond.

We operate an emergency response vehicle and are made up of a dedicated team of 13 Coastguard Rescue Officers from a wide range of backgrounds, including maritime occupations, engineering, carers, grounds maintenance, emergency services, NHS, self-employment and retirement.

Our team brings together a wealth of knowledge and experience, ranging from officers who have recently joined to others with more than 10 years of service.

As Coastguard Rescue Officers, we are on call 24/7 and can be mobilised at any time by pager. While there is no on-call allowance, we receive payment for incidents attended and some specific training undertaken. Many of our officers live close to the station, helping us maintain a rapid response capability, but we also have a significant contingent based in Kings Lynn.

How HM Coastguard Works

Coastguard Operations Centres, located around the UK, are responsible for coordinating and tasking Search and Rescue (SAR) assets, including Coastguard Rescue Teams, RNLI lifeboats and Coastguard helicopters.

When you dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard, it is one of these Operations Centres that answers your call, assesses the situation and deploys the appropriate rescue resources.

Who We Are

HM Coastguard is the fourth government-funded statutory emergency service and forms part of the UK's national Search and Rescue capability. Unlike some other rescue organisations, HM Coastguard is not a charity and does not rely on public donations to operate.

As a Category 1 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, HM Coastguard has statutory responsibilities for emergency preparedness, response and recovery. This places the organisation alongside the other 3 emergency services and other responder agencies that work together to protect life, property and the environment during emergencies.

Hunstanton Coastguard Rescue Team is proud to play its part in delivering that capability at a local level, responding to incidents along our coastline and supporting wider emergency response operations when required.

What We Do

Hunstanton Coastguard Rescue Team attends approximately 120–160 incidents each year and works closely with partner emergency services to provide an effective search and rescue capability.

Our primary responsibilities include:

• Water Rescue (including tidal cut offs)
• Casualty Care
• Missing Person Searches
• Unexploded Ordnance Response
• Establishing Emergency Helicopter Landing Sites
• Attendance at emergencies on the cliffs
• Casualty Extraction
• Flood Response
• Royal Fish Duties
• Receiver of Wreck Duties
• Incident Coordination
• Mutual Aid to Other Emergency Services and Agencies

Working Together

Several members of our team are also part of our specialist flood rescue capability, which can be deployed nationally to support communities affected by severe flooding.

Whether responding to a person cut off by the tide, assisting a casualty on difficult coastal terrain, searching for a missing person, or supporting partner agencies during major incidents, our team is ready to respond whenever needed.

🌊 In a coastal emergency, always dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

⛵ For water users, assistance can also be requested via VHF Marine Radio Channel 16.

Coastguard Rescue Teams are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, providing a lifesaving search and rescue service in all conditions.

10/06/2026

There’s one more May call-out to tell you about, which brought the monthly total to 16, more than in 2025.

Also, the couple of call-outs that we’ve had so far in June.

🆘 Incident 🆘 # 44 of 2026

Saturday 30th May 15.37 hrs

The team was tasked to 6 adults cut off by the tide at Brancaster. This had been reported by both NCI and a member of the public.

On arrival, the Officer in Charge spoke to NCI, who were able to report that all persons had waded back to shore safely. They were identified, enabling the OiC to speak to the group about the dangers of tides, large beaches and sandbars, advising them, in future, to make their way back to the main beach at least 3 hours before the high tide.

A visual search of the beach was made for a further ten minutes to ensure that no one else was in difficulty, before Humber Control was informed and the team stood down.

🆘 Incident 🆘 # 45 of 2026

Tuesday 2nd June 18.23 hrs

The team was tasked to assist Norfolk Constabulary in King’s Lynn.

No further details will be given.

🆘 Incident 🆘 # 46 of 2026

Wednesday 10th June 11.48 hrs

The team was tasked to a report of 5 people cut off by the tide at Wells. Also tasked were teams from Wells and Sheringham.

All teams were stood down en route as the people had safely waded ashore.

In addition, Monday night saw us training on Hunstanton beach, practising land-based water rescue techniques.

If you see anyone in difficulty along the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

29/05/2026

We’ve had five more call-outs since the weekend. Read on for information about Four-Shouts-Thursday.

🆘 Incident 🆘 # 39 of 2026

Tuesday 26th May 12.56hrs

The team was tasked to assist with four people cut off on Wells beach, who were attempting to wade back to safety.

On arrival, the people had already been located and returned to the beach by Wells RNLI. All were safe and well. Wells Coastguard Rescue Team was also in attendance.

Humber control was advised and the teams were stood.

🆘 Incident 🆘 # 40 of 2026

Thursday 28th May 11.03hrs

The team was tasked to assist a casualty with suspected cardiac arrest on Wells beach. Wells and Sheringham Coastguard Rescue Teams were also called, as was Rescue 912, the Coastguard helicopter.

Wells RNLI used their tracked vehicle to transport their shore team to the casualty, who was located some 2,000m away, while Wells CRT used their vehicle to transport a paramedic. An ambulance was also en route to the RNLI station.

Having assessed the casualty, the paramedic determined that transport back to the ambulance, using the RNLI vehicle, was possible. Therefore, the helicopter, which had just arrived on scene, was no longer required and it left without landing.

Our Station Officer was Officer in Charge, liaising with and coordinating everyone involved. This was a good example of multi-agencies working together to bring about a satisfactory outcome.

The casualty was handed into the care of East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

Just time to make a sandwich for lunch and then….

🆘 Incident 🆘 # 41 of 2026

Thursday 28th May 13.51hrs

The team was tasked following concerns for an inflatable craft off Old Hunstanton beach.

The cliff top was used as a vantage point to scan the area, but nothing was seen. The team then relocated to the RNLI station and searched the beach for the first informants. Following discussions with them and having found nothing untoward on the beach, it was concluded that no persons were on the inflatable.

Humber control was informed and the team was stood down.

But on the way home, having first washed down the vehicle….

🆘 Incident 🆘 # 42 of 2026

Thursday 28th May 15.57hrs

The team was tasked to Brancaster following concerns for a paddleboarder, drifting out to sea, reported by NCI Brancaster.

Both Wells inshore lifeboat (ILB) and all-weather boat were called, whilst both NCI and our OiC (Officer in Charge) scanned the sea with binoculars, eventually locating the paddleboarder some considerable distance from the shore.

The ILB crew was quickly able to locate and rescue the casualty and the board. The casualty was brought ashore, met by Coastguard team members and driven to the Golf Club carpark, for a medical assessment. The casualty was cold and upset, but otherwise in good health, so was handed into the care of the family. They were advised to seek immediate medical attention should there be any deterioration in condition over the next few hours. Safety advice regarding using a board in off shore winds was given.

The team was stood down.

Having just got home, hoping for some dinner……

🆘 Incident 🆘 # 43 of 2026

Thursday 28th May 17.47 hrs

The team was tasked to assist Norfolk Constabulary on the quayside King’s Lynn.

No further details will be given.

If you see anyone in danger along the coast ring 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

29/05/2026

We had two call outs for missing children over last weekend. Luckily, both were found quite quickly.

Here’s some very useful information to bear in mind when taking children onto a busy beach. Keep them safe.

Hot weather and busy beaches can be disorientating for younger children.

It’s not uncommon for little ones to get lost in crowds, but these tips can help reunite you if you do become separated:

Take a photo on arrival so you have an up-to-date reference to show authorities (and a handy reminder of what they were wearing) 📸

Agree a meeting point if you get lost 📍

Use beach wristbands and write your contact number on them so you can be called and reunited if you get separated 🙋

Make sure that everyone in the group knows to call 999 if they’re in trouble 📞

Wristbands can be ordered from our web shop for free. Get yours here: bit.ly/HMCGwristbands