Clacton RNLI volunteer celebrates 20 years’ service by aiding stranded catamaran
Volunteer Helmsman, Daniel Thatcher, celebrated 20 years’ service by going to the aid of a catamaran with engine failure, south of Jaywick, near the North Eagle Buoy.
At 9.55am on August 12, Daniel Thatcher took to the forth seat aboard Clacton RNLI’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, David Porter MPS in order to allow probationary helmsman, Brogan Bates, take control of the mission ahead, ready to offer assistance if needed.
The catamaran was located one nautical mile north east of the North Eagle Buoy, where one crew member was placed aboard the vessel to check on the welfare of the skipper and to help prepare for towing into Brightlingsea.
The catamaran was towed into Brightlingsea and placed on its own berth, being met by the Harbour Master and Coastguard mobile unit. The volunteers were then stood down to return to station, where the lifeboat was recovered and ready for service again by 12.30pm.
Two days earlier, in recognition of his dedication, Daniel was presented with a special 20 years’ service badge by Clacton RNLI’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, David Wells, during an informal get together of the crew and their families, after taking part in the Clacton Carnival.
Reflecting on his years, Daniel said: ‘There have been a lot of changes over the last 20 years, lifeboats, boathouse, and faces around the boathouse, but one thing that has remained constant is the bond between the volunteers every time we go afloat.’
Daniel Thatcher joins three fellow helmsmen at Clacton RNLI who have volunteered for more than 20 years to save lives at sea.
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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.
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