Early Saturday morning call for Southend RNLI volunteer crew

The UK Coastguard reported a vessel had disappeared from the radar screen, in the area of the South Shoebury marker buoy.

The hovercraft crew made best speed in the dark to the area, but on arrival they located the vessel aground and found the lone sailor resting.

With vessel and single crew member both safe, and with and the sailor happy to be left to await the next tide to continue his passage, Southend lifeboat crew returned to station.

RNLI media contacts:

• Denis Freeman - Southend Lifeboat Station Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer. Tel - 07710406661, [email protected]
• Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/South East/East), 0207 6207426 / 07785 296252 / [email protected]
• Paul Dunt, Press Officer(London/ South East), 0207 6207416 / 07786668825 [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.