RNLI Clacton search for broken down vessel
On Saturday 10 June 2023 just before 3.30pm, volunteer crews from the Clacton-on- Sea RNLI Lifeboat station received a call out with reports of a vessel experiencing difficulties between Point Clear and Brightlingsea.
The volunteer crew launched the Atlantic 85 B-Class Lifeboat into sea conditions that were between calm and slight and headed to an approximated location whilst awaiting further information enroute. It later emerged that the vessel had restarted its engine and was making way toward Bradwell.
The HM Coastguard requested that the volunteer crew continue to the reported location, but upon arrival no vessel could be located.
The Coastguard established telephone communications with the vessel to obtain new Lat/Long co-ordinates, which were then relayed to the lifeboat crew. When the crew checked these on their navigation system and charts, these co-ordinates did not seem correct. The crew requested confirmation from the HM Coastguard on the new co- ordinates and a revised set were provided, which the crew then proceeded to.
Upon arrival at the new location near Bradwell the vessel could not be located, and despite the crew checking with other vessels in the immediate area, the vessel in question could not be found.
The crews returned to the station where the lifeboat was recovered, cleaned, refuelled and ready for service by 5.40pm.
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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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