Royal Humane Society Awards 
Saturday 31st December 2011

A proud moment for the Caister Volunteer Lifeboat Service

Coxwain Paul Williams, Tommy Williams and Andrew Hewitt are to be awarded Certificates from the Royal Humane Society for their "Remarkable efforts" which helped save the life of a teenager when she became trapped on Caister Beach when a tunnel she had been digging with her sister collapsed on top of her.

The two girls, holidaying locally from Kent, were trying to tunnel between two deep holes they had excavated when the sand collapsed completely entombing one of them.

The three men from the Lifeboat were alerted and raced to the beach. They dug into the sand with their hands until shovels arrived to enable them to dig faster.

The men said they were in the right place at the right time but their efforts to dig with their own heads beneath the crumbling sand reflects their bravery and courage.

The girl returned to the Lifeboat station two days later, fully recovered ,to thank those who had been involve with her rescue


My name is Arfur 
Friday 23rd December 2011

Hello every one.

My name is Arfur and I help the Lifeboat Engineer Richard when he visits the lifeboat shed to do all the maintenance on the boats. Actually I usually play outside the shed or lay in the doorway to greet the visitors who come to look at the boats.

If you are ever here at Caister please feel free to come and meet me and I will introduce you to Richard and any of the Crew who are here at the time.


A Full Shed for Carols 
Sunday 18th December 2011

An audience of around 400 people attended the Lifeboat Community Service. Choirs from Caister Infant, Junior and High Schools were accompanied by the Salvation Army Brass Band.

Mums, Dads and Grandparents clapped and cheered the choirs and joined in with the congregational carols.

St Johns provided the First Aid cover and many Lifeboat helpers put out the seats and constructed a stage.

At the end the Shed was cleared and the inshore and Offshore lifeboats put back on Station ready for the next call

Thanks to Derek George the Organiser supremo...well done


Broken Casing causes a catastrophic engine failure 
Friday 16th December 2011

The Bernard Mathews 2 is now back on station following repairs to one of its engines.

During a practice one of the Turbo Chargers failed and there was a loss of oil pressure. Engine 2 ran as normal and enabled the Lifeboat to return safely.

Local Engineers were called and the boat was lifted from the water at a local boatyard. The engine was removed and dismantled to discaover the problem. The attached picture shows the broken casing which sheared .

The casing held the bearing for the oil pump which consequently fell into the sump meaning there was no oil circulating at all.

Whilst the repairs are costly it could have been much worse..Volvo have said they have never experienced such a fault before.

The Shear fracture line passes through a "Bolt hole" bout Volvo cannot explain why or give any advice for the refittin to ensure the same fault does not recur.




Canoe rescue 
Thursday 15th December 2011

The Bernard Mattews was called to sea to search for a canoe-ist in distress about a mile offshore. The Canoe and "Paddler" was found amidst the Scroby Wind Farm turbines completely exausted.

He was pulled aboard and returned safely to shore.




Before the Lifeboat is returned to the shed
Wednesday 14th December 2011

Once a rescue or practice has been completed and before the Lifeboats can be put back in the shed they have to be pressure hosed to remove all sand and salt so that the metal work and bearings are cleansed.

This operation takes up to an hour of hard work by the crew. The Tractor is especially hard to wash because of all the "Nooks and Crannies"....and then the boats and tractor are refuelled to be ready for next call.




Check out the link on our History page. 
Wednesday 12th October 2011

We have now a direct link to a video of the "Never Turn Back" song. Please click on the words "Caister Men Never Turn Back" here or on the history page.



BBC Coast Team Pay a visit 
Friday 9th September 2011

On August the 25th the BBC Coast Team visited the station to film and interview the crew.Nicholas Crane, the presenter was taken to the nearby Sand Bank at Scrobie and dumped to await the rising tide. Just in the "Nick of Time" the Bernard Matthews raced to him and rescued him wet but well....the film will be on TV early Spring 2012 




Save our Coastgaurd 
Monday 29th August 2011

Help us to save our local Coastgaurds please sign the Government petition.




Lifeboat Day Great Success. 
Sunday 7th August 2011

The Weather was kind and a large crowd of locals and holiday makers visited the lifeboat and enjoyed taking part in a variety of games and events.

Whilst the crowd was large takings were lower than previous years.

During the morning the inshore lifeboat was called into action to rescue two swimmers who had got into difficulties on an inflatable

Thank you to all our helpers who came along on the day and to all the contributors who supplied anything from raffle prizes to kegs of beer.

Also a big thanks to all the members of the Public for coming along and contributing towards keeping life saving in Caister operational and alive.

Without donations and support from the public we could not keep doing the good work we do.




Successful visits and tours 
Wednesday 20th July 2011

The Members of the Iceni Choir who performed on behalf of the Lifeboat earlier this year came to visit the lifeboat informally for a tea and tour....all judged it to be extremely informative. As a treat they had the opportunity to don lifeboat protective clothing in a head to head race...there have never been so many ways to wear life jackets and waterproofs... a good time was had by all.

Also groups of children from three local schools paid a visit as part of the Lifeboat commitment to our local community....the visitors challenged us with some difficult questions before trying out the all weather clothing for themselves




Songs by the Sea ...judged a resounding hit 
Tuesday 14th June 2011

The Community Concert featuring the famous Norfolk Iceni Choir supported by pupils from Caister Junior and Caister Infants School has been judged to be a resounding hit by those who attended. An audience of over 300 packed into the Skipper Woodhouse Shed to hear the singing and join in the final rendition of "Home from the sea". The event has raised over £600 for the lifeboat funds as well as providing enjoyment and pride to the many Mums and Dads of local children who took part. This event was part of the Caister Lifeboats' efforts to become more involved with its local community. See events for further things happening at thye Lifeboat 




Annual Visit to Holland 
Monday 9th May 2011

Good news all round following a 7 hour round trip to Holland over the weekend the Offshore lifeboat was professionally checked and serviced and certified fully operational for another year. A great trip for the Coxwain and crew and a good result for the Service



All at Sea Exercise 
Sunday 6th March 2011

Both the Inshore and offshore lifeboats were launched to day to carry out routine training and bring the crews some sea experience away from the normal shore based "Education".

Also today Photo-Crews were aboard another vessel to record some of the activity for use in the Heritage Centre during the Summer.

Whilst the sea state was calm the wind chill factor was extremely fierce especially for the inshore lifeboat crew.

Did you know?....Each time before the lifeboats are returned to the shed they and the launching tractors have to be hosed down to remove salt and sand. This is a major operation using high pressure hoses and lots of "Elbow grease" 



Our Annual Lifeboat Day
Sunday 30th January 2011

Why not come and see us and meet the crew on Sunday 7th August 2011. Apart from launching both lifeboats there is lots to see and do.This is our main fund raising event and we need it to be a success



Local Charities February Table Top Sale 
Sunday 30th January 2011

We will be rolling out the Lifeboats to make way for two days of sales on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th February. Join us between 100.00am and 3.30pm. It will be warm and dry and it's all in a good cause. Sample our Tea and Chat Hospitality and if you wish take the opportunity to visit our Heritage Centre for a Yarn.



Opening Our visitor Centre 2011 
Sunday 30th January 2011

We will be opening our visitor centre and shop at Easter and continue until October..We'll be pleased to see you on a Wednesday, Friday and Sunday between 10.00am and 3.00pm.Come in and sample our "Lifeboat Tea and Chat"

Want to bring a party with you? Please give us a call and we may be able to make special arrangements to tell you our stories.