Harwich RNLI launch during Storm Doris

The UK Coastguard dispatched a Coastguard Rescue Team from Felixstowe and a helicopter from Lydd to assist in the search.

With the tail end of storm Doris still having an impact, conditions at sea were very challenging.

The lifeboat made its way to the scene to commence a search as close to the reported position of the sighting as possible. Once on scene, the volunteer lifeboat crew decided to launch the Y-boat - a smaller craft stored aboard the all-weather lifeboat - to enable them to search closer to the beach.

The lifeboat crew were stood down later as nothing had been found - the lifeboat returned to station shortly before 10pm.

RNLI media contacts

• Daniel Sime, Lifeboat Press Officer, Harwich Lifeboat Station on 01255 502258, 07793 883797 [email protected]
• Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]
• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789.

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 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 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, 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.