RNLI Wells lifeboat news
News from the Boathouse
It has been quiet over Christmas and the New Year, apart from one shout, which happened on the night of one of the worst storms in over twelve months. Fishing boat Lucky Luke wasn’t so lucky when at around 9:30pm on Thursday 14th January his rudder failed while fishing in the Wash in a Force Nine gale. Humber Coastguard requested the launch of both Skegness and Wells lifeboats. Skegness had problems with their launch tractor and then had trouble with the engine filters on the lifeboat once they had launched. Meanwhile our boat was heading towards the casualty, pounding into rough, breaking head seas. Our Coxswain, Allen Frary, described it with a typical understatement, when interviewed on the radio next morning, as “a bit splashy!” Before we got to the scene, the casualty radioed to say that he and his two crew had managed to get some steerage back and were safely in the Kings Lynn Channel. So all ended well, both lifeboats stood down and returned to base.
Other news
We are pleased to announce the appointment of the 8th Earl of Leicester as President of the Station. Tom takes up the reins from his father Edward, who served as our President for 37 years, and is looking forward to taking an active interest in the Station during his presidency. Sarah, Countess of Leicester, who loyally supported Wells Lifeboat Station as “the President’s wife” has been appointed Vice President. During what promises to be a busy few years at Wells Lifeboat Station with the arrival of a new Shannon Lifeboat and the building of a new boathouse, they are going to be quite busy, and we thank them for making the commitment to support us in our work.
Jean Terrington has retired after serving as our Treasurer fornine years. The Treasurer’s role at Wells Lifeboat Station, with more than 60 volunteers and 2 lifeboats is a busy one. As well as keeping track of all the “normal” local expenditure and fundraising receipts, Jean handled a massive increase in activity during the last 18 months when £250,000 was raised locally for the Shannon Lifeboat Appeal. It has been an enormous task and she has done it, completely voluntarily, without complaint. Everyone at the Lifeboat Station offers their sincere thanks to Jean for all the hard work and the many hours she has put in.
Lorraine Cracknell, whom most of you will already know, has been appointed the new Treasurer. In December 1999, the Wells lifeboats were involved in the search for Lorraine’s husband, William, who was tragically lost at sea and Lorraine says “it is through William that I have taken on the role and feel that I want to try to give something back to all those who turned out that night and subsequent days.” Lorraine is well used to handling money and accounts from her work behind the counter in Barclays Bank. We welcome her aboard.
Finally, a big thank you to Central England Co-op who have donated £5,000 towards the new boathouse build.
Practice launches: Sunday 28th Feb at 09:00am and Saturday12th March at 09:00am.
Full details of all events and how to donate can be found on Wells Lifeboat Facebook and at www.wellslifeboat.org