Suspension of Sea Palling lifeboat 'putting lives at risk'

Richard Price, Norfolk county council for South Smallburgh, questioned the timing of the station’s suspension amid the busiest time of the year for lifeboat crews.

It comes as two children and two adults had to be rescued by a fishing boat after getting into difficulty off Sea Palling on June 20.

Mr Price said: “It was fortunate that there was a fishing boat there on Tuesday to help rescue the victims of the riptide, otherwise I believe there might have been a far more serious outcome.

“It is important that any and all complaints are properly investigated and that audits of independent lifeboat stations are carried out, but surely there can be no doubting the commitment of a self-financing lifeboat team of dedicated volunteers to the saving of life - risking their own lives in the process."

Sea Palling Independent Lifeboat had its search and rescue services suspended by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) after complaints were filed about the station.

The Beach Road station is set to be off service until the MCA has done a full investigation - but the authority has refused to reveal the nature of the complaints.

READ MORE: ‘We just want to get back to saving lives:’ Suspended lifeboat crew speak out

Sea Palling Independent Lifeboat station, in Beach Road (Image: Adam Barker)

READ MORE: Sea Palling Independent Lifeboat suspended after complaints

Richard Price (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Price added: “I therefore am struggling to understand why - given the known dangers of this very popular beach - at the beginning of yet another busy summer season it has been decided by others to remove this valuable lifesaving service which, in my opinion, is potentially putting lives at risk.

"The MCA needs to resolve this most urgently, in a matter of days not weeks."

Lifeboat crew members have said they were "desperate" for the service to be restored.