
Harwich Lifeboat crews launch for the tenth time in one week.
On the 5 August 2023, the crew of Harwich All Weather Lifeboat (ALB) 'The Duke of Kent' swiftly responded to a distress call from a beleaguered yacht located approximately 8 nautical miles south of the North Sea area known as Sunk Centre.
The situation involved two individuals onboard the yacht who found themselves fatigued and unable to lower their sails.
In a race against time and with an impending deterioration in weather conditions, the highly skilled volunteer and full-time lifeboat crew promptly reached the distressed vessel's location. Demonstrating utmost professionalism and judgment, they conducted a comprehensive risk assessment on-site, leading them to conclude that the safest recourse was to undertake a challenging 3.5-hour tow of the stricken yacht back to the secure haven of Harwich harbour.
The decision to embark on the demanding tow operation was a testament to the crew's dedication to saving lives at sea. Their swift and well-coordinated actions exemplified the highest standards of maritime rescue operations.
The successful operation marked the tenth 'shout' for the Harwich lifeboat crews in the preceding 7 days. Their spirit and selfless commitment underscore the crucial role they play in safeguarding maritime interests along the East Coast.
Notes to Editor
The RNLI is the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Harwich RNLI is based on The Quay, Harwich. The lifeboat station was founded in 1829 and the volunteer crew use an all-weather Severn class lifeboat (ALB) The Duke of Kent and B class lifeboat (ILB) Tierney, Harvey and Sonny Reid.
The Severn class is the largest lifeboat operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). The class, which is 17.3 metres (56 ft 9 in) long, was introduced in to service in 1996. It is named after the River Severn, the longest river in Great Britain. These lifeboats are stationed at 35 locations around the coasts of the United Kingdom and Ireland and can provide coverage up to 125 NM (232 km) out to sea.
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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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