Walton and Frinton RNLI volunteers aid boat with famous namesake on board
Saturday afternoon plans were interrupted for the volunteers at Walton and Frinton lifeboat station with a '007 moment'.
Just before midday on Saturday 20 June the crew were tasked by HM Coastguard to go to the aid of a 28ft fishing vessel that had broken down.
The craft, with three men on board, was drifting approx five miles North East of the lifeboat station. With so many sandbanks in the area the crew of the fishing vessel decided to anchor to await assistance.
Once on scene the lifeboat crew passed a line and proceeded to tow the craft towards her home port on the River Deben, crossing the busy Harwich Harbour approaches on the way.
At the mouth of the river the lifeboat was met by the Felixstowe Ferry Harbour Masters launch who took over and escorted the fishing vessel back to her mooring.
After taking on fuel in Harwich the Irene Muriel Rees was back at her berth at Walton Pier later that afternoon ready to respond to any further emergencies and the volunteer crew resumed their interrupted weekends.
Afterwards one of the occupants of the craft messaged the station. The crew were surprised to find that it was a person who shared his name with the famous fictional spy James Bond who told them: 'Thanks for helping us today after we experienced engine failure. We will make a donation to your station funds'.
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.