Multiple call outs over the weekend for Harwich RNLI

The first call came just before 6pm on Saturday 16 June leading to the launch of the inshore lifeboat to a vessel aground at the entrance to the river Deben. On arrival at the scene, the vessel was found to be hard aground, but safe. The occupants laid their anchor and were going to await the next tide. With no further assistance required, the lifeboat was released to return to station.

At 10.45pm, the crew were paged to return to the grounded vessel. With the tide coming in, the inshore lifeboat was requested to provide some safety cover. Stephen Read, the assistant Harbour Master at Felixstowe Ferry had also attended the scene and took the vessel in tow. With the vessel towed to safety, the lifeboat returned to station.

By 2am on Sunday 17 June the inshore lifeboat was called in to action again. A person on board a vessel on the river Orwell was suffering chest pains and required assistance. While crew provided care for the individual and monitored their condition, the lifeboat towed the vessel to the safety of Woolverstone marina. Holbrook Coastguard Rescue Team were on hand at the marina to secure the vessel and to provide assistance. The person was passed in to the care of East of England Ambulance Service.

On Sunday evening the inshore lifeboat was launched to assist a Kayaker that was thought to be in difficulty off the Felixstowe coast. On arrival at the scene, the person confirmed they were safe and well and didn't require assistance. The call had been made with good intent. While returning to station, the lifeboat attended a yacht that was aground outside Shotley marina. With no assistance required by the occupants, the lifeboat returned to station.

Commenting on a busy weekend for Harwich RNLI, a spokesperson for the station said: 'This weekend has seen our volunteer crew deal with a variety of incidents. The crew are on call 24hours a day, 365 days a year and this weekend alone they’ve answered the call at all hours. It's great commitment.

'The new inshore lifeboat is performing really well and this weekend has seen her operating in the river Orwell, the river Deben entrance, and along the Felixstowe coast.'

RNLI media contacts

Daniel Sime, Lifeboat Press Officer, Harwich Lifeboat Station on 01255 502258, 07793 883797 [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.