The volunteers from Burnham-on-Crouch RNLI assist a Bilge-Keeled Sailing Boat
The pagers of Burnham-on-Crouch RNLI volunteers sounded out early on Saturday 16 April when at half past midnight they were called to assist a Bilge-Keeled Sailing Boat that had run aground in the Fambridge area on the River Crouch.
It was reported that the casualty had been aground all day and with only 45 minutes of the tide left there were concerns that they would require assistance to re-float.
The Atlantic Class lifeboat Tony & Robert Britt with four crew onboard was launched, however word came through that the casualty had successfully re-floated.
Following full checks and with no sign of damage or water ingress, the lifeboat was stood down and returned to station.
The previous evening the volunteers from Burnham- on-Crouch RNLI had just completed a training session when they had a red flare sighting as they were leaving the station.
Upon returning to the lifeboat station to report the sighting to HM Coastguard and following investigations, it turned out to be an accidental firing of a red flare fired from the Essex Marina / Wharf area.
On this occasion it was fortunate to have been a false alarm, the RNLI would encourage anyone who believes they have seen a red flare to report it to the Coastguard immediately by calling 999 or on VHF Channel 16.
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