The RNLI has decided to close the station after just 10 years as it believes safety would be better served by moving its resources elsewhere
South Broads lifeboat station is to be closed after an operational life of just 10 years.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) said that a comprehensive evaluation through the summer had concluded that public safety on The Broads would be better served by relocating the station’s assets elsewhere.
Rescue coverage will in future be provided by an Arancia inshore rescue boat based at Great Yarmouth and Gorleston lifeboat station and transported by road to various slipways in and around The Broads as required.
“The RNLI does not take the decision to close a lifeboat station lightly”, said RNLI operations director Michael Vlasto.
“The main launch sites will be more accessible meaning we can extend our cover to a much wider area”, he added.
South Broads, which was the first inland lifeboat station to be established by the RNLI, started operations in 2001, and during its first four months the lifeboat was launched 18 times, rescuing a total of 35 people.
