Palling Volunteer Rescue Service Ltd.
Registered Charity Number 267211
www.seapallinglifeboat.co.uk      e-mail: info@seapallinglifeboat.co.uk 

 

 

PALLING VOLUNTEER RESCUE SERVICE (Sea Palling Lifeboat) is an entirely independent rescue service operated and run by volunteers.  Owing to the unique nature of the Sea Palling beach and the reefs, there are dangerous tides and rocks which make our service essential for the public's safety.   Anyone who would like to be part of the lifeboat whether on land or as crew or is able to assist in any other way, is most welcome.  Either contact us on info@seapallinglifeboat.co.uk or just come along to the Lifeboat Station on Thursday evenings or Sunday mornings. 

All crew, officers and support staff are unpaid volunteers and carry pagers to ensure a 24 hour service.   They also give up their spare time on a regular basis to exercise and practice, thus carrying on the proud tradition of life saving by Palling lifeboat crews.

It is a registered charity and is independent of any other organisation and receives no financial support from the R.N.L.I nor the Government.   Operation and maintenance of the service is expensive.  The annual running costs are around £21,000.   This figure reflects the expense of keeping the EXISTING equipment in good working order and essential insurances.  It does NOT allow for capital expenditure such as the necessary purchase of a new engine in April 2014 which cost around £7,500.

We rely completely on the support and donations of local people to keep the boat and the service going.   Should you wish to help then please send a cheque (payable to PVRS Ltd.) to The Boatshed, Beach Road, Sea Palling, Norwich NR12 0AL or you can donate via Text to 70070 using the words PVRS01 and then the amount you want to give.

 

 

HISTORY

Since before the formation of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), lifeboats have been operated from the Palling Station. As far back as 1840 two lifeboats owned by private companies were stationed at Palling. The salvage value of ships that came to grief off these shores was used for the upkeep of the lifeboats and to supplement the income of the Palling beach-men.

In 1858 the Palling station came under the control of the RNLI. In 1870 a second station was established here. The achievements of the Palling lifeboat service are now almost forgotten, yet when the station was closed in 1930 it had one of the finest records known to the RNLI. During this period the Palling lifeboat was launched 400 times and saved 795 lives, a record bettered by only three other stations. There were 4 silver gallantry medals and several commendations awarded to men from the Palling lifeboat for bravery. A replica of the RNLI silver gallantry medal awarded to Tom Bishop is on show in St Margaret’s Church, Sea Palling.

 During 1929, the RNLI reduced the service to one boat and then closed the station on 16th January 1931.

In 1972, because of the increasing number of tourists visiting this area of the coast, several local residents thought it prudent to provide an inshore lifeboat based at Palling and the present company Palling Volunteer Rescue Service (PVRS) was formed.

Following much fund-raising and hard work in 1974 our first inshore lifeboat, the 'Hearts of Oak’ was launched. After seven years service this boat was replaced by the rigid hull inflatable (RIB) named 'Leo'. Many local associations contributed towards its purchase including The Norwich Leo club. 'Leo' was on service for over twenty years and carried out many rescues throughout the years.

In April of 2008 a new lifeboat was put into service and named ‘Lions' Roar’ to acknowledge the continuing support of one of our major benefactors, The Hoveton and Wroxham Lions club.

‘Lions' Roar’ was blessed by the Bishop of Norwich on 4th May 2008       However on 1 September 2011, whilst out on a training exercise at night, the boat hit an unidentified object, which resulted in the boat being severely damaged and ultimately being written off by the insurance company.

In December 2011 a new hull was ordered from Humber Ribs and Goodchild Marine to fit out a new boat codenamed "SP4".  "Sp4" is a 5.7 metre Humber Ocean Pro  RIB powered by a 90 hp outboard engine, which allows a top speed of 36 knots.    She has many modern electronic aids such as AIS, GPS, Depth Sounder and VHS radios, along with essential life saving equipment.     This will be the most technologically advanced RIB on this coastline, irrespective of whether they are RNLI or Independent boats.  It came on service in  May 2012 and is named "Lion Heart".