Coastal erosion cuts off Hemsby lifeboat service

The lifeboat at Hemsby can no longer launch after the graded ramp was exposed by the weather

A lifeboat service can no longer attend emergencies after coastal erosion left its launch ramp destroyed.

Dan Hurd, the coxswain of Hemsby independent lifeboat in Norfolk, said harsh winds and rain saw the vessel's graded ramp give way, leaving a 1.5m (5ft) drop.

Mr Hurd said the lifeboat, which launches from The Gap at Hemsby, "was now off-service for anyone who might get into difficulty".

Lifeboats from either Caister or Gorleston would now have to respond to emergencies, he said.

Hemsby lifeboat had spent thousands of pounds of charity cash buying sand and rocks to shore up the ramp, but could no longer afford to keep doing so, the coxswain said.

The erosion of the lifeboat graded ramp was first spotted by a fisherman

In January, Mr Hurd warned that high tides had caused erosion to the lifeboat car park near The Gap, and this was putting the station at risk.

It led to the service announcing it was looking for a new boathouse "rather than wait for the inevitable".

He called for funding from government to protect the area.

The coastline at Hemsby has suffered severe erosion over recent years and in October 2023, another 3m to 4m (10 to13ft) of beach was lost to the sea.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council has been seeking £15m towards the sea defences, although inflation has pushed the estimated cost closer to £20m.

The Labour government said in July: "Improving infrastructure, better flood protections and planting millions of trees are included in government plans."

The BBC has approached HM Coastguard for comment.