Clacton RNLI’s volunteers respond to Mayday call nine miles from Clacton Pier

8.11am May 28, at the request of UK Coastguard the RNLI Atlantic class lifeboat, David Porter MPS, was launched on to a calm sea with four volunteers aboard. They were tasked with locating the stricken vessel and assisting it and its occupants to safety.

Once on scene, where the sea conditions had increased to slight, a crew member was placed aboard the sailing vessel to assist the occupants, a man and a woman in their 20s, in hauling the rigging and jib back aboard, after it ended up hanging in the water after the mast broke, and getting caught around the keel.

As the female sailor started to feel unwell after being sat broadside to the waves too long, they were transferred to the Lifeboat before a tow was commenced. On reaching the Wallet Spitway her condition had deteriorated to such a degree that it was decided to break off the tow so the Lifeboat could make best safe speed back to the boathouse, where she could be properly attended too. Meanwhile the crew member aboard the sailing vessel dropped anchor to await the return of the RNLI Lifeboat.

With the lady being left in the safe hands of a First Responder the Lifeboat returned to the sailing vessel to recommence the tow into Brightlingsea Harbour, where the casualty vessel was placed on the Hammer Head pontoon.

The casualty at the boathouse during this time stabilised and was deemed fit by the attending paramedic to go by road to meet up with their vessel in BrightlingseaHarbour. The David Porter MPS lifeboat was rehoused and ready for service again by 1.30pm.

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For more information please telephone Richard Wigley volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07903424698 or [email protected] or Clare Hopps, Regional Media Officer on 07824518641 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

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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