Clacton RNLI responds to reports of a yacht being struck by lightning
The volunteers of Clacton RNLI launched at the request of UK Coastguard to investigate the possibility that a yacht had been struck by lightning off Jaywick.
At 8.08pm July 25, the volunteer crew of Clacton RNLI launched their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat David Porter MPS into squally conditions, with a Force 8 South south westerly wind blowing. The yacht was quickly located by the crew just off Seawick.
Once alongside, the volunteer crew established that all aboard the yacht were ok, but were requested by the skipper to escort them into Brightlingsea, due to the worsening conditions.
The volunteers duly obliged, seeing the yacht safely into Brightlingsea Harbour. The Lifeboat was recovered and ready for service by 10pm.
Clacton RNLI’s Atlantic 85 had already been called upon twice in the preceding day. At 6.03pm on a clear and sunny evening, the Lifeboat and its volunteer crew had been called to assist a yacht which had made a Mayday call. Suffering engine failure and possible fire they were in danger of running aground near to the Whitaker No.2 Buoy.
Once on scene a crew member was placed aboard the yacht, which was towed to the visitor’s pontoon in Brightlingsea Harbour.
On the return trip to station the volunteers were diverted by UK Coastguard to reports of three people in the water with a sailing kayak at Brightlingsea Spit. On arrival, two men were taken aboard the lifeboat with the kayak, while the third had been picked up by a jet ski. They were placed ashore on the Hammer Head pontoon in Brightlingsea Harbour.
The Lifeboat was ready for service again by 10pm
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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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