Two RNLI lifeboat stations assist a Dutch cruiser in the Thames estuary

The volunteer crew of the Sheerness all weather lifeboat The George and Ivy Swanson launched at 2.35am on Wednesday 2 May after a call from the UK Coastguard reported a 39-foot Dutch cruiser with one man on board had broken down and was at anchor reportedly one mile West of Southend Pier with a mobile phone as the only means of communication.

The Sheerness lifeboat arrived in the area given at 2.51am but was unable to get any visual sighting of the casualty and so proceeded to search up to Canvey Island.

With still no sighting a call was made to the UK Coastguard requesting they ask what was visible from the cruisers position.

In the meantime two white illumination flares were launched from the ALB, in the hope of getting a response, following which a flashing light was seen close inshore at the top end of ‘Ray Gut’ off Southend.

Due to there being insufficient water for the ALB to approach the casualty a call was made requesting the smaller Southend RNLI lifeboat be launched to attend the incident which it did and then towed the craft to deeper water and secured it on a mooring in the creek.

The Sheerness lifeboat was stood down at 4.37am and returned to station at 5.05am.

Wind was Southerly force 3 to 4

Ends

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Vic Booth RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer (Sheerness) 07926904453 / 01795 880544 [email protected] / [email protected]

Paul Dunt RNLI Press Officer S.E. [email protected] 07785296252

For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

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