RNLI Aldeburgh lifeboats launched on Carnival Day to reports of a drifting raft
RNLI Aldeburgh all-weather lifeboat (ALB), the ‘Freddie Cooper’ and inshore lifeboat (ILB), the ‘Susan Scott’, was launched at approximately 3.55pm, following a Coastguard request, to a report of a rubber raft adrift with a person in the water.
The RNLI Aldeburgh ILB was initially tasked by the Coastguard at 3.35pm to launch, following a 999 call from a member of the public, who reported seeing a rubber raft adrift with a person in the water, clinging on. Once launched, the ALB was also tasked to assist, as the casualty was moving fast due to the sea conditions.
Once on scene, both the ALB and ILB crew were unable to find the casualty, so were tasked to search the area. While searching, the ‘casualty’ was found and identified as three balloons, two yellow and one black in colour. From the shoreline, this would have looked like a raft and a person in the water.
Aldeburgh RNLI Coxswain, Steve Saint said: 'While it may be a problem, there is a visual similarity between a balloon and a person in the water, from the shoreline, which cannot be dismissed. We therefore must launch to investigate, even though it is a false alarm with good intent.'
Once the balloons had been recovered from the water, both boats were stood down and returned to station at 5.05pm.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone :-
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Caron Hill, Aldeburgh RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, 07837 263210 email [email protected]
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Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Media Officer (North and East) 07824518641/ [email protected]
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Jim Rice, RNLI Regional Media Manager (North and East), 07810658072/ [email protected]
or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
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