Double launch for Clacton RNLI and a person saved from the water

Just after 4pm on Thursday 6 May, as our volunteer crew were arriving at the lifeboat station in anticipation of launching our Atlantic 85, the David Porter MPS, to aid a fishing vessel taking on water, a second call came in shortly after and we proceeded to quickly prepare and launch our inshore D class lifeboat to support the additional shout.

The D class lifeboat Damar's Pride was requested by HM Coastguard to attend urgently the location of Clacton pier with a report that a person was in the water and in difficulties to the west side of the pier.

Having been launched from the lifeboat station just moments earlier the lifeboat raced to the scene and located the casualty who was found to be floating on their back and lifeless, approximately 100 meters from the shoreline.

The crew quickly positioned the lifeboat alongside the casualty and recovered the person into the boat. It was observed that the casualty was unconscious and not breathing, and since the Essex Ambulance Service and Police were in attendance on the beach, the casualty was wrapped in blankets to prevent hyperthermia and transferred by three lifeboat crew members to the waiting paramedics.

The paramedics immediately assisted the casualties’ breathing by use of a breathing tube and bag, which resulted in the casualty starting to breath again but continued to remain unconscious.

After discussion between the paramedics and air ambulance doctor, the decision was made to transfer the casualty to Colchester general hospital for further treatment by road, so our crew assisted in the transfer of the casualty to the waiting ambulance.

A spokesperson for the Clacton crew wished the casualty well and commented:

“We are pleased that our volunteer crew were able to be on the scene quickly to recover the casualty, and transfer them to the care of the local paramedics, who were able to get the casualty breathing again, and we hope they make a speedy recovery.

It is without doubt that our fast launch and arrival on the scene was a key contributing factor in the preservation of the casualties life, as was the support from all the agencies involved on scene.

Whilst Clacton pier is a fantastic place to enjoy our coast in Essex, we want to warn everyone to the dangers in and around the pier. In addition to the fast, strong currents and submerged hazards in the water we would urge everyone to stay safe on and around the pier.

The Atlantic 85 located the vessel that was reported to be taking on water, located one mile North of North Eagle. The four occupants had managed to bail out all of the water taken aboard, and restarted their engine. Our crew escorted the vessel one mile East of the NAS beacon and left the vessel to continue their onward journey.

Both crews were then stood down and recovered the boat back to the lifeboat station and was ready for service shortly after.

Media contacts:
Mark Walsham, Lifeboat Press Officer Clacton Lifeboat Station (07468) 511158 [email protected]

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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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