Kayakers save 3 men from riptide in Sea Palling rescue

The dramatic incident, off Sea Palling, has prompted anger at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency which has closed the beach's Independent Lifeboat just as the summer season gets underway.

It says it is investigating allegations made against the organisation, but locals are furious that it has not given any details about the complaints or when the service may be able to operate again.

The latest incident, which happened on Saturday afternoon, saw three men dragged out to sea by a riptide. They were saved by two kayakers.

One of them, Mickey Pitcher-Cooke, said she went into action after hearing shouting coming from the water.

Mickey Pitcher-Cooke (Image: Supplied)

"I thought it was kids but they sounded really panicked," she said.

"People on the beach were looking out towards some swimmers who were far out in the water.

"I spotted another kayaker making his way over to two of them, so I headed over to the third one.

"He was a man in his 50s who was struggling and starting to dip under the water.

"I stopped just away from him because I didn't want him to try and get into my kayak and tip us over.

"He didn't seem to speak much English.

"We spoke, I told him not to panic and then pulled him out of the riptide and to shore, which took ages."

Two more kayakers also entered the water to assist the man helping the two others back to shore.

Sea Palling beach (Image: RNLI)

There, the three swimmers were looked over by the RNLI lifeguards on duty.

Mrs Pitcher-Cooke, a 45-year-old nurse, said: "In hindsight, I maybe should have stayed with them for longer but everything seemed to be under control.

"I went back to my family fairly calm and they hadn't even seen it, they thought I was having a nice time.

"The other kayaker then came over to me and said the men were all alright and that the lifeguards had thanked us.

"But it could have been a very different situation. The lifeguards couldn't have got there quick enough."

The rescue is one of four which have been reported since the suspension of the Sea Palling Independent Lifeboat earlier this month.

Richard Price (Image: Newsquest)

Two were carried out by members of the public and two by RNLI lifeguards.

Although the Sea Palling beach is covered by lifeguards, there are fears that they cannot cover as wide an area as a lifeboat.

The men who got into difficulty at the weekend were not on the stretch of beach covered by the lifeguards. 

Richard Price, county councillor for South Smallburgh, said: "I don't know why, given the time of year and Sea Palling's riptides and rock reefs, it has been decided to remove the lifeboat service.

"I can't think of a more needed time for the lifeboat.

"And though I can't speak highly enough of the RNLI their lifeguards leave the beach in the afternoon and what happens to people after that?

"People stay on the beach into the evening, especially with daylight hours longer, and the risk only increases.

Sea Palling Independent Lifeboat (Image: Adam Barker)

"The MCA also hasn't given a proper reason as to why their investigation is taking so long.

"What's the greater risk? Whatever the complaint is about or the threat to lives without a lifeboat?

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

There have been rescues in the last few weeks including two children and two adults being saved by a fishing boat and a father and daughter saved by RNLI lifeguards.

A spokeswoman for the MCA - which regulates lifeboat services - said: “HM Coastguard continues to work with members of Sea Palling Lifeboat to get the group back into full service as soon as possible.

"In the meantime, HM Coastguard will continue to task its smaller surf/inshore Arancia lifeboat as and when required.”

The RNLI has been contacted for comment.