RNLI Clacton launch to overdue swimmers
On Saturday 22 July 2023 just before 9pm, volunteer crews from the Clacton-on-Sea RNLI Lifeboat station received a call with reports of two swimmers who had failed to return to shore at an agreed time.
The informant who had seen the swimmers in the sea had lost sight of them, and had become concerned, so called in to report a potential issue.
The volunteer crew launched their D-Class ILB (Inshore Lifeboat) ‘Damar’s Pride’ into rough sea conditions as the initial report of the casualties was very close to the lifeboat station. At this point further information was provided to the crew and a new location between Martello beach and the Martello Beach holiday camp was provided, so the ILB proceeded quickly as possible in that direction.
With the deteriorating light and sea conditions it was decided to ask Clacton’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat ‘David Porter MPS’ to launch and assist whilst Dover coastguard sent the coastguard rescue helicopter to assist the search.
Upon arrival on the scene an initial search was conducted, but nothing untoward was found, so the crew immediately started a shoreline search pattern, but once again no- one was located.
After communication with the coastguard the crew were stood down and then proceeded back to the lifeboat station where the lifeboat was cleaned, refuelled and ready for service by 10.45pm.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact:
Mark Walsham, RNLI Clacton volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07468511158, or
[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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