RNLI Clacton and Harwich assist vessel
The volunteer crew of the Clacton RNLI lifeboat station launched with reports to a vessel in distress east of the station some 10 nautical miles offshore.
The crew launched the Atlantic 85 lifeboat David Porter MPS into sunny and clear conditions on Friday 20 May around two in the afternoon to reports of a vessel in distress.
They made their way to the last reported location, but the vessel was not to be found, so using their local knowledge and direction finding equipment aboard the lifeboat, the vessel was located an additional three nautical miles North.
The lifeboat went alongside the vessel, and a member of the crew transferred to the vessel to assist, whereby a welfare check was performed on the occupants, and everything was found to be okay. The crew established that the vessel had ran out of fuel and had been drifting.
The situation was assessed and a plan was quickly put into place and the casualty vessel was sailed to Harwich, which was deemed the safest option. Upon arrival in the Eye End area, Clacton’s lifeboat was met by the Harwich ILB and the casualty vessels' care was handed over to Harwich for the onward journey to Shotley.
The Clacton crew were then stood down, returned to the lifeboat station where the lifeboat was cleaned, refuelled and ready for service by 6.15pm.
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For more information please contact:
Mark Walsham, RNLI Clacton volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07468511158, or
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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 142,700 lives.
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