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Southend-on-Sea RNLI tasked to three people stuck in the mud
The volunteers at Southend-on-Sea RNLI Lifeboat were tasked by HM Coastguard on Saturday 10 October at 6.30pm to reports of three people stuck in the mud near Hadleigh Ray. The RNLI crew launched the charity’s Inshore Rescue Hovercraft H-004 Vera Ravine into service.
Under the command of RNLI volunteer David Hopper, Vera Ravine made best speed possible in low light conditions towards the casualties reported location.
On route the RNLI hovercraft crew received information from HM Coastguard that the casualties were in contact and aware of the approaching hovercraft. The casualties used the torches on their mobile phones to signal their location to the hovercraft.
Southend RNLI volunteer Commander Dave Hopper said: ‘The soft mud around in certain spots in the Thames Estuary can catch people out, and it’s easy to get stuck and need help. That’s where the RNLI come in.
‘The casualties called the Coastguard as soon as they realised they were in difficulty with the light fading. They thought quickly and used their mobile phone torches to get our attention and show us exactly where they were, which was a great help in these challenging conditions’.
The RNLI crew made way cautiously across reels and gutway’s until they reached the casualties approximately 200 meters off the east end of Two Tree Island. The casualties were assisted onto the hovercraft and taken to Bell Wharf where HM Southend Coastguard were standing by.
Southend RNLI hovercraft was stood down and returned to station at 8.30pm.
Take care and research the local area. When walking around the shore or tidal areas of the estuary’s, local knowledge of the tidal creeks is essential. Deep soft mud surrounds many of the creeks and gutway’s of the Essex coast.
If you’re walking on the coast, take a mobile phone with you, call 999 if you get in trouble. If you get stuck in the mud, try not to panic or struggle, struggling can worsen the situation. Spread your weight by sitting down and call or signal for help.
Notes to Editors:
- Southend RNLI is one of the busiest coastal stations across the UK and Republic of Ireland.
- Southend RNLI cover approximately fifteen miles of shore from Shoeburyness to Canvey and beyond.
- For more information, please visit: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/southend-on-sea-lifeboat-station
For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service.
RNLI Media Contacts
Nigel Gilchrist, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South East, [email protected]
Stella Sims, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for London and South East England, 07483 316675, [email protected]
Sam Haddad, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for London and South East England, 01202 137713, [email protected]
Julie Rainey, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for London and South East England, 07827 358256, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.