Rescue 2004

Clacton lifeboat launched at 4.30pm on the 20th November 2004 after a member of the public reported an unmanned canoe drifting of Lion Point, Jaywick. On arrival the lifeboat crew discovered a surfboard and after a search to make sure there was no-one in the water, it was taken ashore. The lifeboat was back on station at 5.15pm.

Claton's "D" class lifeboat was launched at 9pm on Monday 8th November 2004 after a report was received that someone was seen in the water under the pier. A search was carried out but nothing was found. It was later established that the call had been a hoax.

Clacton-on-sea's "Atlantic 75" lifeboat was launched at 4.20pm on Saturday 2nd October 2004 after the 27 foot yacht "Gothic" reported problems with her rudder. She was just east of the Eagle buoy about 2 miles off Point Clear with three people on board. A line was put aboard and she was held steady until the Tyne class lifeboat arrived from Walton to take her in tow to Brightlingsea. The lifeboat was back on station at 6pm.

The Atlantic 75 lifeboat was launched shortly after 9pm on Sunday 25th September whem several reports of red flares in the Point Clear area were received by Coastguards. In conjunction with the West Mersey 75 a search of the Colne and Blackwater esturaries was made but nothing was found. Later a member of the public reported seeing youngsters letting off fireworks. The lifeboat was back on station at 11pm.

Clacton’s Atlantic 75 launched at 4.10pm to a sailing boat which had become dismasted off Lion Point, Jaywick. One of the two women on board the 19foot “Kyrinia” was injured by the mast and they were both taken ashore to a waiting ambulance. The vessel was made safe and taken in tow to Brightlingsea.

At 2.30 pm Clacton’s Atlantic 75 lifeboat was launched to go to the aid of three youngsters who had gone aground on an island in Ray Creek, Point Clear. They were in a small inflatable with only a pair of short paddles. They were picked-up and taken to shore.

The lifeboat had only just returned to the boathouse when they were asked to go to Martello Bay, Clacton, where another small inflatable this time with two teenagers on board were having problems getting back to shore through the rock breakwaters. The lifeboat escorted them to the beach.

In both these cases the persons using these small inflatables were not aware of the energy required to paddle them or the effect the wind and tide has on these very light craft.

Clacton's Atlantic 75 was launched at 6pm on Sunday 18 July when a vessel reported difficulties three miles off Clacton. After having travelled only half way the lifeboat experianced an engine failure and was forced to return to base. On inspection the problem was found to be a damaged gearbox which required a change of engine. The maintenance team from Ipswich were called and a replacement outboard engine was fitted and tested, the lifeboat being ready for service at 10pm.

The vessel with the problems was found five miles of the coast by the lifeboat from Walton, and taken in tow.

Thanks to the quick responce by the RNLI workshop the Clacton lifeboat was back in service in a very short time.

Clactons Atlantic 75 lifeboat was launched at 3.15am on Saturday 26 June after a man was reported in the water in Brightlingsea harbour. On arrival the crew found the man clinging to a bouy, he was taken ashore where he was met by the Coastguards. The lifeboat was back on station at 5.20am.

On Friday 18th June the Atlantic 75 lifeboat launched at 10pm after distress flares were seen . They found a 16 foot boat had gone aground on the Buxey Sands four and a half miles south of Point Clear damaging its rudder. The boat was on passage from Rochester in Kent to Brightlingsea and was taken in tow to Brightlingsea. The lifeboat was back on station at 1am.

On Sunday 20 June the crew were asked to stand-by at 6pm after a man threatened to jump from the pier He was talked down by the police and the lifeboat was stood-down.

At 6.15pm the Atlantic 75 was launched to the 26 foot yacht “Misty” which had reported engine failure. She was near the Whitaker Bell buoy six miles south of Clacton. A tow was put aboard and she was taken to Brightlingsea. The lifeboat was back on station at 10pm.

Clacton's Atlantic 75 was launched at 8.45pm on Thursday 17 June to assist the 37 foot motor yacht "Blue Bottle" which had reported engine failure. The yacht with four people on board was on route to Bradwell and had dropped anchor in the Wallet Spitway, 4 miles south of Jaywick. She was taken in tow with one of the lifeboat crew on board and arrived in Bradwell marina at 11.45pm. The lifeboat was back on station at 00.30am.

Clacton's Atlantic 75 lifeboat was launched at 7.30pm on Sunday 13 June after a sailing vessel was reported aground on the East Barrow sands about 8 miles south of Clacton. The 30 foot yacht had two men on board and drew 6 feet of water. A member of the lifeboat crew was put aboard and the vessel held steady while assistance was called from the Walton Tyne class lifeboat. When the Walton boat arrived a tow was passed across and the vessel pulled into deeper water. She was escorted to West Mersey by the Walton boat.

Clacton's Atlantic 75 lifeboat was launched at 4pm today after Coastguards received a call from a small fishing vessel with engine problems. The boat was half a mile off St Osyth and after attempts to start the engine failed it was taken in tow to Brightlingsea. The lifeboat was back on station at 6pm.

Clacton’s “D” class lifeboat was launched at 5.20pm today after a security guard on the towns pier reported seeing a man in the water. The crew found the elderly gentleman under the pier hanging on to one of piles. He was extremely cold and almost unconscious when taken aboard the lifeboat. He was wrapped in a foil blanket and once back in the boathouse was given oxygen while awaiting the ambulance which took him to hospital.