Lone sailor assisted in high winds by Walton and Frinton RNLI

Dover Coastguard received reports that the vessel, which had been anchored in Hamford Water, had been blown onto the beach at Horsey Island. The Walton and Frinton RNLI crew were paged just after 2.20pm to assist.

Once on scene the lifeboat’s smaller Y class inflatable was deployed to approach the beach and pass a tow to the casualty. With the tide rising the all-weather lifeboat Irene Muriel Rees then towed the catamaran clear and into the main channel.

After talking to the occupant of the vessel it was decided to tow the catamaran to safe harbour at Titchmarsh Marina. With northerly winds gusting severe gale force 9, the lifeboat’s coxswain requested additional assistance from local work boats from Bedwell & Co, Frank Halls & Son and Titchmarsh Marina to help control the vessel through the closely packed moorings in the river.

The lifeboat was also met by the Walton Coastguard Rescue Team who assisted with mooring the casualty at the marina.

Speaking afterwards Coxswain Trevor Halls said: ‘This was a challenging shout as the catamaran had no steerage and was therefore difficult to control.

We are very grateful to the crews of the work boats who came out to assist in difficult conditions and the coastguard rescue team for their turn out.’

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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