Walton and Frinton RNLI volunteers assist 10 metre angling boat

The volunteers were paged by Dover Coastguard just before 12 noon after reports were received that the vessel, which was four nautical miles east of the lifeboat station, was unable to make its own way.

Once on scene with the vessel it was found that the angling boat had been on passage to Rye in East Sussex but had bounced on the Gunfleet sands and sustained damage. Not only had they lost steerage but were also taking on water which their on-board pump was managing to keep at a safe level. Once the welfare of the two men on board had been established the lifeboat crew set up a tow and the Irene Muriel Rees towed the vessel in to Walton Backwaters.

The lifeboat was met by the yard team at Titchmarsh Marina, who immediately lifted the vessel out of the water to prevent it sinking and to check the damage. The lifeboat returned to her berth at Walton Pier.

Speaking afterwards Station Mechanic Karl Bigwood said: ‘Although the initial call seemed fairly routine, a broken down boat which had anchored to await assistance, the situation became much more urgent once we found they were taking on substantial amounts of sea water.’

‘With their pump running only on battery it could quickly have turned very serious had the batteries failed or been swamped. Things could have changed very quickly to an operation to save those on board.’

The RNLI points out that during the Coronavirus emergency our lifeboats will continue to launch to those in peril at sea. We urge you to follow government instructions. But if you are at the coast, please take extra care and follow safety advice.

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 142,700 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.