Walton and Frinton RNLI assist rowers
Walton and Frinton all-weather lifeboat (ALB) was launched on Tuesday 8 October to assist a rowing boat in difficulty.
The crew were paged at 8pm to assist an Ocean going rowing boat with five people on board which had lost contact with their support vessel and was struggling to make way in strengthening winds.
With weather conditions deteriorating and given their location close to a busy shipping area Dover Coastguard requested that the RNLI volunteers give assistance to the small craft. After locating the vessel approximately 12 miles east of Walton Pier the lifeboat checked that all was well with those on board and took them in tow, making their way towards Harwich Harbour.
During the tow back communication was re-established with the support vessel who were some distance away. The support vessel made it's own way into Harwich and, with assistance from the Holbrook Coastguard, both boats were safely moored in Shotley Marina.
Walton lifeboat returned to it's berth shortly before 2am with the volunteers hoping to get some sleep before starting their 'day jobs' that morning.
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
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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.