SHOUTS 2016

Clacton’s Busiest Weekend Yet

 24/07/2016 CLACTON Lifeboat Station’s volunteer crew had one of its busiest ever weekends. Clacton RNLI’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat and D-Class inshore lifeboat were called to a total of seven incidents on Saturday and Sunday. SHOUT #1 The crew were called to 21ft speedboat on Saturday (23rd) at 4.40pm after it had broken down off Holland Haven. The craft and its six occupants were taken under tow towards Harwich, from where the Harwich inshore lifeboat continued the tow to Levington Marina. SHOUT #2 The crew were again on station at 10am on Sunday (24th) for their routine training, but while the boats were afloat they were called to the aid of a 30ft fishing vessel that was eight miles off Clacton and requesting assistance. It was suffering from engine trouble and drifting so requested a tow back to safety. The vessel, from Bridgemarsh Marina on the River Crouch, was towed towards the Crouch where it was met by Burnham RNLI. SHOUT #3 While returning to the station, Clacton RNLI were diverted to a jet ski broken down and drifting in close proximity to Clacton Pier. The jet ski and its rider was taken in tow and landed back at Martello Beach. SHOUT #4 At 2pm, the Atlantic 85 lifeboat was called to the aid of a sailor on a broken down speedboat that was drifting in the vicinity of Brightlingsea Harbour. Using the lifeboat’s directional finding equipment, the vessel was located on the beach at West Mersea after drifting without power The lifeboat passed a towline across to the vessel and towed it clear of the beach before taking it back to Brightlingsea. SHOUT #5 Clacton’s D-Class lifeboat then made best speed to Walton after being tasked to reports of people in the water, but before the boat arrived, the Coastguard confirmed they were safe and well. SHOUT #6 As the crew were preparing to head home once again, the pagers were sounded at 5.15pm following reports that a kayaker had capsized close to Lion Point, Jaywick. Within a matter of minutes the D Class lifeboat was on the water with three volunteer crew on board making best speed to the incident As the D class arrived on scene a kayak was spotted by the crew approximately 20 to 30metres off the rock breakwater but no-one was in sight. A spokesman said: “The volunteer crew made contact with the large number of people on the rocks to find out more information and it was confirmed the person that was in the water was seen to disappear beneath the surface just 20 seconds before the lifeboat arrived on scene. “With this information it was decided to immediately launch Clacton’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat, as well as requesting assistance from Rescue 163, the coastguard rescue helicopter. “Alongside Essex police helicopter, police on land and many Coastguard rescue teams, a full scale search was launched and carried on into the evening. “At approximately 9pm as the tide receded, the coastguard rescue teams came across a body in shallow waters.” The man’s body was recovered to the lifeboat station, following which all boats were stood down. SHOUT #7 Whilst the search was taking place, the crew was also alerted to an incident in which someone had jumped from Clacton Pier at about 6.30pm. Clacton’s Atlantic 85 attended the incident, but the casualty had already been moved to the beach and had been left in the hands of the ambulance service. A spokesman for Clacton RNLI said: “It was an incredibly busy day for our crew, who are always ready to help those in trouble at sea. “This can only be done thanks to the generosity of residents who donate to the charity. “It was a tough weekend for our dedicated volunteer crew and the thoughts of everyone at Clacton RNLI are with the family of the man who sadly died on Sunday.” Boat: Atlantic 85 (B835) & D Class (D723)