Hemsby Lifeboat remains off service after slipway collapse

Daniel Hurd, from Hemsby Independent Lifeboat, has confirmed the service's offshore rescue is still offline following the collapse of the slipway last Thursday.

Near-gale force winds eroded around two metres of dunes by the Gap, collapsing the slipway and leaving a drop of around eight feet.

An 8 feet drop by Hemsby beach. Picture - Hemsby Independent Lifeboat (Image: Hemsby Independent Lifeboat)"It's a bit of a mess down there," said Mr Hurd.

"We desperately need some emergency funds to protect the gap area. At the moment, entrance to the beach isn't as safe as it could be. And we can't get our boat out if we're needed."

Last Friday, the lifeboat was hopeful to bring back beach access. But Mr Hurd said the independent service did not have the money to keep restoring the area.

Coxswain Daniel Hurd (right) with members of Hemsby Independent Lifeboat. Picture - Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)Mr Hurd said he was hopeful emergency funding could be made available to reinstate a slipway to the beach.

As the sand levels drop, nearby dunes are becoming more at risk. A dune to the north of the Gap - currently protecting the Beach Road car park and the Lifeboat Station - remains a cause for concern.

However, recent weather has pushed some sand onto the beach, raising levels slightly.

"So some good news on that front," Mr Hurd said.

"But as we've all seen, it only takes one big tide to pull it all away again. It would be nice to have a bit of support now to shore everything up.

"I'm hopeful we're going to get through this winter, but I don't think we'll make it through the next. It's looking likely we'll be looking for a new base during the summer.

"It's not great at the moment. Some people are saying 'things will get better in the new year,' but I can't see that happening for us."