Busy period for the volunteers of Burnham-on-Crouch RNLI

Sunday 25 July 2021

It has been a busy week for the volunteer crew from Burnham-on-Crouch RNLI when they were tasked by UK Coastguard three times within the space of four days.

Their first task was at 5.13pm on Tuesday 20 July when they were tasked to assist a 25’ sailing boat that had run aground.

The Atlantic Class Lifeboat Tony and Robert Britt was launched to assist the casualty that was heading for the Upriver Yacht Club when she ran aground on the Swallow Tail.

Upon arrival on scene, the volunteers from Burnham-on-Crouch RNLI assessed the situation and found the casualty vessel had sustained damage to her rudder. As a consequence the volunteer helm made the decision that taking the casualty under tow was necessary and the safest way to assist the casualty.

The sound of Burnham-on-Crouch RNLI volunteer pagers could be heard again at 12.30pm on Thursday 22 July when they were tasked to assist a 41' sailing boat with four people onboard that had grounded in the vicinity of the River Roach.

Whilst enroute, the rib from Essex Police Marine Unit that happened to be passing, went along side and took two people off the casualty vessel, with the other two remaining onboard. Meanwhile the RNLI volunteers proceeded to the casualty in order to assess the sailing boat and layed out an anchor in case they were tasked to return later if the casualty failed to refloat on the high tide.

The busy week continued when they received their third tasking in four days from UK Coastguard shortly before 8am on Friday 23 July to assist a 40’ motor vessel with four people onboard that had sustained complete loss of steering and rudder problems.

The Atlantic Class lifeboat Tony and Robert Britt was launched and proceeded to the south of the Whittaker Beacon where they located the casualty vessel at anchor. Following an assessment of the situation the RNLI volunteer helm made the decision that a tow was necessary and the safest way to assist the casualties.

The RNLI volunteer crew established a towline and successfully towed the casualty vessel back into Burnham Yacht Harbour being the nearest suitable safe haven. Upon arrival the casualty motor vessel was lifted out of the water so that her rudders could be checked out.

Following inspection it was found that her rudders were loose, possibly sheared from their shaft and the steering was locked. Whilst the inspection was being carried out, the RNLI volunteers returned the Atlantic Class lifeboat to station and prepared her for the next occasion that she would be called upon.

RNLI Media contacts

For more information please contact Peter Harris, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on: 07802 418298 or email: [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

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.

Busy period for the volunteers of Burnham-on-Crouch RNLI

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