Donate now

Harwich RNLI volunteers respond to adrift fishing boat in River Stour

Lifeboats News Release

Harwich RNLI’s inshore lifeboat (ILB) Vivacious Atlantic was launched on the evening of the 27 June 2024 to respond to an adrift fishing boat in the River Stour near Erwarton.

RNLI/Leam Donn

The ILB launched at 6:47pm following a report of an open-top fishing boat adrift with no one on board. Upon arrival, the crew determined that the vessel had likely broken free from its mooring and was drifting in the river, posing a potential hazard to nearby shipping lanes.

To ensure the safety of other vessels and to prevent any further emergency calls, the dedicated volunteer crew took the boat under tow. The vessel was safely brought to Ha’Penny Pier in Harwich and secured. The ILB completed its mission and was ready for service again by 7:45pm.

The Harwich RNLI volunteers' swift and professional response underscores their ongoing commitment to maritime safety. The RNLI relies entirely on donations to fund these critical lifesaving operations, enabling the volunteer crew to continue protecting those at sea.

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 Albert Brown and B class lifeboat (ILB) Tierney, Harvey and Sonny Reid.


RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact Adam Prescott, volunteer RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer 07881 286312 [email protected] or Clare Hopps, Regional Communications Manager, North and East, [email protected]

Or, the RNLI Press Office: [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.

Learn more about the RNLI

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.

Categories