Harwich RNLI inshore lifeboat launches three times during Storm Austen

The first call came at 10.50am on Saturday 24 October, when Harwich RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Tierney, Harvey and Sonny Reid was launched following a report to the Coastguard of two people in the water off Felixstowe. When the volunteer crew arrived, they found the pair were open water swimmers who were not in difficulty. The 999 call had been made with good intent and the lifeboat returned to the station and was made ready for the next call.

At 10.17am on Sunday 25 October, the volunteer crew launched Tierney, Harvey and Sonny Reid again, this time to a kite surfer in trouble off Erwarton Ness on the River Stour. Conditions were very rough, with strong winds and broken water across the river. The casualty had become separated from his board and was shouting for help, but managed to make their own way ashore, and the lifeboat was stood down while on its way to the scene.

Shortly afterwards, at 10.53am, the Coastguard tasked the crew to reports of a sailing boat adrift close to where the kite surfer had been seen. It was first thought someone might be on board. When the crew reached the boat, they found nobody aboard and the vessel safely at anchor. The lifeboat then returned to station.

Once the weather had calmed, the volunteer crew were still able to join the Haven Ports Yacht Club fundraising day later on Sunday, supporting an event that helps raise vital funds for the charity.

Gail Mander, Harwich RNLI Launch Authority, said: ‘Two of these calls turned out to be made with good intent, and that is exactly what we want. Our volunteer crews would much rather launch and find everyone safe than have someone hesitate to pick up the phone. If you see someone in trouble in the water, or even think you might have, call 999 and ask for the coastguard. Please don’t go into the water yourself to help.’

The RNLI is a charity, and its volunteer crews are on call 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Anyone heading out on or near the water in stormy weather should check the forecast and tide times before they go and keep a means of calling for help on their person. If you get into trouble in cold water, remember to float to live: tilt your head back, relax, and spread your arms and legs until you can call for help or swim to safety.

Notes to Editor

The RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) is the charity that saves lives at sea.

Harwich Lifeboat Station was founded in 1829 and is based on The Quay, Harwich. The station operates two lifeboats: the all-weather Severn class ALB Albert Brown and the B class ILB Tierney, Harvey and Sonny Reid.

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Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for North East and East England, 07824 518641, [email protected]

Richard Grange, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for North East and East England, 07483 112015, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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