Busy morning for Walton and Frinton RNLI volunteers
Lifeboats News Release
Thursday June 6 saw Walton and Frinton RNLI crew paged at 9am to assist a yacht near the Naze.
The yacht, with two people on board, had been on its way from Walton Backwaters to Heybridge when it become entangled in fishing gear just a couple of miles north of Walton Pier.
Once on scene the lifeboat crew managed to get hold of the rope hampering the yacht but were unable to free them. The line had to be cut but with its rudder jammed the yacht was unable to make its own way so had to be towed to Titchmarsh Marina. Once alongside the pontoon the rudder could be freed and the propeller and keel of the boat checked.
The lifeboat then escorted the yacht back to its own mooring in the river to ensure no further damage had been done.
As the lifeboat was leaving Walton Backwaters it was hailed by another vessel which was aground on Stone Point. The crew were able to reassure the crew of the Atlantic rowing boat and offer advice on what to do to make the re-floating process easier. They also checked on the welfare of the two people on board as they had sometime to wait for the tide to reach them.
With both boats safely attended to the volunteer crew then returned to their berth at the Pier and were back to their working day by 1pm.
Walton and Frinton Lifeboat volunteer RNLI crew member John Hale said afterwards 'it would appear that the unlucky yachtsman had sailed over a submerged, but buoyant, lobster pot rope which, in the shallow water became entangled around the yacht's propeller and rudder. These inshore waters are actively fished but unfortunately not all the gear is visible on the surface.'
RNLI Media contacts
For more information please telephone Miranda Rayner, Walton and Frinton RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07799691852 or [email protected]
Or Dale Steggles, Walton and Frinton RNLI Deputy Press Officer on 07540802302 or
[email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.
