Clacton RNLI’s volunteers respond to Pan-Pan
The volunteers of Clacton RNLI responded to a Pan-Pan call from a sailing vessel with engine failure close to the Colne Bar Buoy, five miles south west of Clacton Pier.
At 4.42pm on July 28, at the request of UK Coastguard the RNLI Atlantic class lifeboat, David Porter MPS, was launched on to a smooth sea, with a clear sky. The volunteer crew of four were tasked with locating the stricken vessel that made the Pan-Pan call and assisting it and its occupants to safety (Pan-Pan is used to signify urgent help is needed, but there is no immediate danger).
The sailing yacht was quickly located just south of the Colne Bar lateral marker buoy, with a second vessel standing by to offer assistance if required while awaiting the arrival of the Lifeboat. A crew member was placed aboard the sailing yacht to assist the skipper in preparing for a tow into Brightlingsea Harbour, where repairs could be made.
On arrival at Brightlingsea Harbour the tow was taken over by harbour staff who safely berthed the yacht abreast of other vessels due to the harbour experiencing a high number of visiting vessels.
Clacton RNLI’s lifeboat was then released to return to station, where it was recovered and ready for service by 6.45pm.
Helmsman, Eddie Vaughan-Chatfield, commented that today was a good outcome, mainly due to the skipper having the correct safety equipment, the ability to call for help, and doing so early. The presence of a second vessel waiting by to offer assistance if needed until we arrived was good to see.’
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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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