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

Burnham-on-Crouch RNLI volunteers were tasked by H.M. Coastguard to assist a 24’ fishing vessel with reported engine failure by Buxey Sand with three people onboard.

The Atlantic Class lifeboat Tony & Robert Britt was immediately launched and proceeded to the reported location of the casualty vessel.

Upon arrival on scene it was found that the casualty vessel had issues with their propeller, prop shaft and rudder.

The volunteer Helm from Burnham-on-Crouch RNLI assessed the situation and determined that the best and safest course of action was to take the casualty under tow into Essex Marina.

Just as they were arriving in Essex Marina with the casualty vessel under tow, Burnham-on-Crouch RNLI received a second tasking from H.M. Coastguard when at approximately 2.45pm and following reports of a 10 metre fishing vessel that had sustained engine failure with five people onboard.

The Atlantic Class lifeboat Tony & Robert Britt proceeded to Whitaker Beacon to locate the casualty vessel.

Upon arriving on scene it was found that the casualty vessel had diesel / filter issues. Once again the volunteer Helm from Burnham-on-Crouch RNLI assessed the situation and determined that the best course of action was to take the casualty vessel under tow into Essex Marina where they arrived at approximately 6.30pm ending a mammoth six hours of ‘saving lives at sea’.

All six of Essex’s RNLI stations were out on shouts at the same time on Friday only made possible by the continued generous support from the public.

RNLI Media contacts

For more information please e-mail Peter Harris, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [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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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.