Hemsby Independent Lifeboat Station comes under threat

From its station, the crew have carried out offshore rescues and dashed inland to help those in peril along the Norfolk Broads.

Now, as erosion claims more and more of the dunes protecting the gap at Hemsby, the North Sea creeps ever forward.

Coxswain Daniel Hurd said he and his crew are about to start packing up their headquarters in case they have to evacuate at a moment's notice.

The gaping hole in Beach Road car park after the dune eroded away. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)"I've got an awful feeling we won't survive the winter," said Mr Hurd.

"The lifeboat shed will be under threat soon. We're planning on starting to pack up the building soon, so we can be on standby if we have to leave.

"But we need to be close to the beach, so we can continue our service."

Hemsby Independent Lifeboat coxswain Daniel Hurd. Picture - Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)This comes after further high tides - which recently led to the demolition of five homes along The Marrams road - destroyed parts of a dune cliff, leaving a gaping hole in the Beach Road car park.

On Monday, Save Hemsby Coastline chairman Simon Measures said the loss of the vital car park could be disastrous for the future of the resort.

But for the lifeboat, Beach Road has been their base of operation since the late 1970s.

Hemsby Independent Lifeboat's shed is metres away from the crumbling cliffs. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)"We have spent thousands and thousands to make the station up-to-date and to provide decent service," said Mr Hurd. 

"And now we don't know how long it will be standing."

READ MORE: Coastal village Hemsby 'abandoned' by government

The village suffered more loss of material on Monday night and Tuesday morning. Volunteers from Hemsby Lifeboat were on hand to assess the damage, check on people living on The Marrams, and reinstate a fallen water main.

The cliffs at Hemsby continue to recede as high tides claim more of the village. Picture - Hemsby Independent Lifeboat (Image: Hemsby Independent Lifeboat)Mr Hurd added: "It's getting worse. 

"We need emergency powers to be called in to preserve what's left.

"I'm appalled the government can see what's happening, and still nothing is being done.

"We hope the station will be good until at least the summer. 

"But who really knows?"