Volunteers from Hunstanton RNLI were already afloat on exercise on board the lifeboat
Spirit of West Norfolk when they were tasked by HM Coastguard at around 7pm.
They made their way 10 miles or so across The Wash before locating the 32ft craft near the River Nene outfall at Sutton Bridge.
The vessel, with two on board had set off from King's Lynn and had been making for Boston before getting into difficulty.
After assessing the situation, the crew decided that with the vessel out of fuel and drifting, those on board were at risk and the safest option was to tow her back to Lynn.
After doing so and meeting Hunstanton Coastguard to hand over the vessel and her uninjured crew, they then returned to station where they arrived shortly before midnight.
Once the craft was recovered, she was washed down and refuelled with the assistance of shore crew, before being placed back on service.
Editor's Notes
Hunstanton lifeboat station operates the fast inshore lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk and the search and rescue hovercraft
Hunstanton Flyer.
In 2024, its volunteers launched on 34 shouts and aided 27 people.
Some 22 were carried out by the lifeboat and 12 by the hovercraft.
Like more than 200 RNLI crews around the coast of the UK and Ireland, their lifesaving work would not be possible without the kindness of those who donate to the charity that saves lives at sea.
RNLI media contacts
For more information call Chris Bishop, Hunstanton RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07584 147219 or Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, North and East on 07824 518641 or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
