First service of 2018 for Clacton’s RNLI volunteers
The volunteer crew were paged just after 6pm on Friday 26 January by UK Coastguard, and requested to launch Clacton RNLI’s D class lifeboat Damarkand IV to assist the mobile coastguard unit based at Clacton.
The crew of the D class lifeboat were tasked to rendezvous with the Clacton based coastguard mobile unit just east of Clacton’s pier, to assist with a casualty who had fallen and potentially dislocated their hip.
The lifeboat was tasked to attend as the initial information received by UK Coastguard gave them reason to think an extraction via lifeboat may be required due to the casualty’s location and the fact the tide was on the way in, and could potentially cut off access back to the promenade.
Thankfully this was not the case, and the lifeboat was stood down by UK Coastguard and returned to station, after their mobile unit confirmed they would not need the assistance of the lifeboat and its volunteer crew.
RNLI crew member Richard Wigley said:‘Thankfully on this occasion we were not required, but feel it is better to be called so we are ready but not needed, than needed and not be ready.'
RNLI media contacts
- Richard Wigley, Lifeboat Press Officer, Clacton RNLI: 07903 424698.
- Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Media Officer, North East and East: 07824 518641.
- 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.