(image courtesy of Mundesley Independent Lifeboat)
The Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm, operated by Equinor, makes a donation of £150,000 per annum to the Sheringham Shoal Community Fund, a recent grant from which has enabled the Mundesley Independent Lifeboat to strengthen its flood rescue readiness as a result of specialist training undertaken by eight crew members.
The crew members attended the Swiftwater Rescue Technician (SRT) course run by R3 Safety and Rescue in Llangollen, Wales. This DEFRA Level 3 course is recognised as the gold standard for flood and swift water rescue training.
Reporting the successful completion of this training, Lifeboat Coxswain Dave Francis said:
“This training is essential to enable our crew members to operate safely and effectively in flood conditions. The support of the Sheringham Shoal Community Fund has made a real difference, helping us to maintain the high standards our North Norfolk community relies on. We’re proud to be part of the local emergency response and committed to protecting lives and property along this vulnerable stretch of coastline”.
The Mundesley Independent Lifeboat is a fully independent charity, and as a result of repeated flooding in nearly villages, including Bacton and Walcott, the crew and Trustees were able to establish a formal DEFRA-approved flood rescue team.
As a declared asset of North Norfolk District Council under the North Norfolk Operational Flood Plan, the lifeboat service aims to have two fully qualified teams available at all times to work in partnership with the Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, HM Coastguard and the Police Service. The local emergency register lists it as being available to respond to incidents between Eccles and Wells-next-the-Sea, with a primary focus on the Bacton and Walcott areas.
The Sheringham Shoal Community Fund, which is administered by the Norfolk Community Foundation (www.norfolkfoundation.com) has awarded grants of over £1.36 million since its establishment in 2010.