Palling Volunteer Rescue Service Limited
Registered Charity No 267211
The dedication of the new lifeboat takes place on Sunday May 4, at 10.30 a.m.
The service will be followed by a procession to the beach where the lifeboat will be launched and blessed.
Since before the formation of the 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.
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 present rigid hull inflatable named 'Leo'. Many local associations contributed towards its purchase including The Norwich Leo club. 'Leo' continues to be in service throughout the year and is regularly launched on search and rescues covering the coast from Winterton to Happisburgh. 'Leo' is a 5.4 metre Avon Sea Rider rigid inflatable boat powered by a 75 H.P., outboard engine, which allows a top speed of 34 knots. It carries many modern electronic aids such as GPS and VHS radio, along with essential life-saving equipment.
In 2006 a new boat was purchased and it is hoped that she will be ready for service shortly. She will be named ‘Lions' Roar’ to acknowledge the continuing support of one of our major benefactors – The Hoveton and Wroxham Lions' Club.
All crew are unpaid volunteers and carry pagers to ensure a 24 hour service. The 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. Further information can be obtained from our website on Sea Palling Rescue
The service is operated, financed and administered entirely by local people on a voluntary basis. 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. All volunteers are unpaid.
Operation and maintenance of the service is expensive. The annual running expenses are between £8500 and £10,000. This figure reflects the costs of keeping the EXISTING equipment in good working order and essential insurances. It does NOT allow for capital expenditure.
Should you wish to help the Palling Volunteer Rescue Service by sending a donation, please make cheques payable to PVRS Ltd and send to the following address.
Sam Sheldon
Chairman
Sea Palling ILB
3 The Hollies
Chapel Road
Sea Palling
Norfolk NR12 0UQ