Walton and Frinton lifeboat's first 'shout' of 2019 is a real RNLI team effort
Walton and Frinton RNLI lifeboat was paged at 10:53am on 20 March to assist a broken down fishing boat.
The small angling vessel with three males on board had broken down eight nautical miles ENE of Walton Pier and had initially been assisted by another RNLI lifeboat which was passing on its way to Sheerness in Kent. In view of the fact that the fishing boat needed to be taken to the River Orwell it was decided by Dover Coastguard that a local lifeboat should take over the tow and allow the passage crew to continue their journey.
Walton and Frinton all-weather lifeboat (ALB) took over the tow, taking the vessel towards Harwich Harbour. Fortunately just outside the harbour the crew of the fishing boat were able to repair their engine and make their own way back to Levington Marina.
Station spokesman Dale Steggles said: 'This was a great example of the team work across the RNLI fleet to help those in trouble at sea. The two crews had never met before but worked together to bring a successful outcome for these fishermen.'
The lifeboat was back in her berth and ready for service again by 1:00pm.
RNLI Media contacts
For more information please telephone Miranda Rayner, Walton and Frinton RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07799691852 or [email protected]
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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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