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Clacton on Sea |
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Rescue Files for 2009
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Missing Person
On Sunday 13 September both Clacton lifeboats launched to assist the
police in a search for a man reported missing.
The “D” class launched at 3.40pm and the Atlantic was asked to join
the police marine unit and the police helicopter soon after.
They were asked to cover an area from the pier to Jaywick, and after
not finding him this was extended west. He was eventually found
walking on the beach at Colne Point and was picked up by the
lifeboat and transferred to the police rib.
The lifeboats were back on station at 5.15pm.
Press Officer Mel Winger
20/09/2009 |
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Day boat Aground
Clacton-on-Sea’s Atlantic 75 lifeboat Robert George Alexander
launched shortly after 1pm
on Sunday 13th September
when coastguards received a call from a 5.7 metre dayboat which had
run aground on the Swallow Tail sands.
The crew arrived to find her
taking water rapidly, and took the two people on board into the
lifeboat. Two crewmen went on board with a pump but were unable to
keep up with the incoming water.
The Tyne class lifeboat from
Frinton and Walton arrived and a tow was put aboard in the hope that
pulling her from the sand might even her up and their larger pump
could keep her afloat. Unfortunately she was too badly holed and
began to sink.
She was put back onto the sand and anchored with a marker buoy. The
two people were transferred to the Walton boat and taken to
Burnham-on-Crouch.
The lifeboat was back on station ay 4pm.
Press Officer Mel Winger
15/09/2009 |
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Dinghy and yacht in difficulties
Clacton-on-Sea’s Atlantic 75 lifeboat Robert George Alexander
launched at 3.30pm
on Tuesday 1st September
after reports of a capsized dinghy off Point Clear. While under way
the crew were told that the dinghy crew had managed to right the
boat and were ashore, but a call had been received from a twenty-six
foot yacht with one man on board, had a fouled propeller near the
Molliette beacon off Mersea Flats at the entrance to the river
Blackwater. On reaching her the crew found she had blown out her jib
sail and the tender she was towing had capsized. She was in five and
a half feet of water and in the ten minutes it took the crew to get
a tow line secured the tide had dropped to three and a half feet,
just enough water to pull her clear of the mud.
The lifeboat took her into Brightlingsea.
The wind was south-west force five to six and the sea was moderate.
The wind direction and falling tide make this part of the estuary
very choppy with strong currents.
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A call too late
A twenty-eight foot yacht ended-up sinking on the
beach at Martello Bay just four hundred metres from the Clacton
boathouse.
She was on passage to Bradwell Marina when she lost
engine power. The skipper raised sail hoping to continue but was
heading into the wind and tide. By the time he realized he was
making no headway and was being driven onto the shore it was too
late.
He sent out a mayday call but was not sure of his
position. While the coastguards were trying to establish where he
was they received a call from a member of the public to say that a
yacht was on the rocks near Clacton golf course.
The Atlantic 75 lifeboat launched at 6.30pm
on Wednesday 26th
and found the yacht aground on the rocks of the
fishtail breakwater. The four people on board had managed to get
ashore safely. The crew put a line aboard and pulled her off the
rocks but she was badly holed and the pumps could not cope with the
amount of water she was taking. They towed her round to the lea side
of the breakwater where she sank in about six feet of water. |
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The “D” class lifeboat was called at assist and was
able to recover personal items from the vessel and clear the debris
from the sea.
The wind was southwesterly (onshore) gusting to
thirty miles per hour and the sea state moderate.
Had the skipper sent out a call when he first lost
power there would have been sufficient time to get him safely under
tow and to his destination. When I spoke to him the following
morning he said “I didn’t want to give anyone any trouble“.
Press Officer Mel Winger
30/08/2009 |
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Man Overboard
Both boats launched at 6pm
on 23rd August
after hearing a mayday call that a person had fallen overboard from
a yacht near Walton-on-the Naze pier. The boats were recalled when
the person was found safe and well.
The Atlantic 75 lifeboat launched at 9pm
on 24th August
after coastguards received a call that red flares had been seen near
the Wallet Spitway, four and a half miles south-west of Clacton. A
large area was covered to the north of the Buxey Sands and into the
Ray Sand channel but nothing was found. The lifeboat was back on
station shortly after midninght.
Press Officer Mel Winger
30/08/2009 |
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The “D” class lifeboat launched at 4pm after coastguards received a
report of a swimmer in difficulties below the Gardens area of
Clacton seafront. About half a mile east of the pier.
At 4.30 the Atlantic 75 was launched to help widen the search area.
The wind was force four southerly (onshore) and the sea state rough.
The search continued until 6pm but nothing was found. The call was
put down to a false alarm with good intent.
Press Officer Mel Winger
29/08/2009 |
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One of the saddest days in Clacton-on-Sea’s lifeboat history
Sunday 16th
and Monday 17th of
August were two very difficult days for the crew of the lifeboats. Shortly after 4pm on Sunday both boats launched when a ten year old girl was reported missing in the water alongside the Palace break water on the West beach. She had been in the sea with her friend when they both got out of their depth. One girl was rescued by a member of the public who spotted they were in difficulties but he could not hold on to the other. The beach lifeguards were on the scene very quickly and were joined by the “D” class and Atlantic75 lifeboats and the police marine unit. These were quickly joined by the RAF search and rescue and the police helicopters. Two jet-skiers also joined the search. The coastguard and police cleared the beach and closed-off the lower promenade where a mobile incident room was set up. The search continued until dusk, around 9.45pm when the lifeboats were refueled ready to begin again at low water. At 1.30am on Monday both boats re-launched and together with the shore crew, coastguard and police carried out a shallow water search, concentrating on the breakwaters and pier. This continued until 3am when the tide began to flood, all units being stood down until first light. Both boats re-launched at 5.30am and with the police marine unit continued searching until about 10am when it was decided by the coastguard that another low water sweep would be carried out in the afternoon. It was shortly after this search started that the police helicopter alerted the Atlantic 75 to something in the water and the young girl was recovered from the sea shortly before 4pm. She was transferred to the police rib and taken ashore at Brightlingsea. Every available member of the crew was involved in the search, including the shore crew who are not usually called upon once the boats are at sea. The search area was within two hundred metres of the shore and many people joined the media crews on the upper promenade to watch. The whole seafront fell silent as it was realised she had been found and a small crowd gathered outside the boathouse and watched as the crew went about preparing the boats for the next call. Once the boats were re-housed and the doors closed the crew began to relax, many of them shedding a quiet tear. This sort of tragedy is very rare along Clacton’s beaches and strikes at the hearts of the crew, many of whom have young families of their own. Mel Winger Lifeboat Press Officer Clacton-on-Sea RNLI |
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Surfer 2.30pm on 21st August the lifeboat launches to a kite-surfer down in the water half a mile off-shore at Martello Bay. The surfer had managed to get ashore but his gear was still in the water. This was recovered and brought to the boathouse.
Swimmer Called at 4.15pm 19th August to a swimmer in difficulties of Jaywick. He had been spotted by several people and was being assisted by two canoeists who were keeping him afloat. The air ambulance had been called and the lifeboat crew took him ashore where he was attended by paramedics.
Launched at 11.35am 15th August after a report was received of a swimmer wearing a yellow bathing hat was missing off Lion Point, Jaywick. They were found happily swimming along off the golf course. The boat was back on station at 12 o/clock.
Launched shortly before 11pm on 4th August after coastguards received a report of a missing person on Clacton seafront. They were found on shore and the boat was stood-down.
Yacht Aground Called at 10pm on 25th July to take over tow from Atlantic 75 which was requested to another rescue. An 18ft yacht was aground at the West side of the pier. She was held away from the pier until she refloated just before midnight.
Called at 1.50am on 18th July to a reported missing person near the pier. Stood-down by coastguard at 2.50am.
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Called at 3.20am on 6th August to a fishing boat with a man on board who had collapsed. RAF search and rescue helicopter also called and winch-man taken on board. Lifeboat station doctor also called and resuscitation carried out but the casualty was pronounced dead at 4.12am.
Launched at
10.45pm on August 4th
to
assist police and coastguards with a 42 year old male on the east
beach and threatening to commit suicide. “D” class lifeboat also
launched and the police helicopter also on scene. Lifeboats
stood-down at 11.30pm
Launched at 3.30pm on August to a report of four persons in a small white dinghy in difficulties off St Osyth beach. Ashore on arrival. Lifeboat ready for service at 4.30pm. Called at 3.20pm on July 26th to a broken down speed boat at the entrance to Arlesford Creek on the river Colne. The boat , with six people on board was towed to Point Clear. The lifeboat was back on station at 5pm.
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Tragic Accident
At the request of Essex Police the RNLI Clacton lifeboat recovered
the body of a young girl from the water this afternoon and
subsequently transferred it to a police rib.
RNLI volunteer crews, who have been involved in an intensive day
and night search over the last 24 hours, are deeply saddened by the
tragic outcome of this incident and would like to send their
condolences and deepest sympathies to the girl’s family and friends.
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Short Trip for “D” class
Clacton’s “D” class lifeboat launched at 4.20pm
on Sunday 9th August
after a report was received of a person in difficulties in a small
inflatable off Martello beach. On arrival the crew found the teenage
boy and his “union Jack” four foot dinghy had been found by the
beach patrol and were safely ashore.
Press Officer Mel Winger
10/08/2009 |
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Dog in water
Shortly after 8.30pm
on Saturday 4th July
Clacton’s “D” class lifeboat launched to a report of a person and a
dog in the sea off the Martello tower at the town’s golf course. The
area was searched and nothing was found. The boat was back on
station at 9pm.
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Break-down in fog
Clacton-on-Sea’s Atlantic 75 lifeboat was called into action shortly
before 6pm
on Monday 29th
when a 24 foot motor boat reported engine failure.
Having dropped anchor the boat gave its position as one mile off
Jaywick. There was a heavy sea mist with visibility varying from a
few hundred metres to three kilometers. Having reached the area and
not finding the boat the crew of the lifeboat asked the skipper if
he could see any land and if so could he take a compass bearing on
it. The crew then put his position further west, and carried-out a
search into the Colne estuary, where they asked the skipper to
set-off a smoke flare and were able to see him close to the Mersea
Flats, off Mersea Island. This was four miles from where he thought
he was. The lifeboat went alongside and found the two adults and the
child on board to be in good spirits and pleased to see them. The
boat was taken in tow to Brightlingsea.
The lifeboat was back on station at 7.45pm.
Press Officer Mel Winger
29/06/2009 |
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Early call for new lifeboat
Clacton-on-Sea took delivery of its’ new “D” class lifeboat at
lunchtime
on Thursday 25th June
and hardly before the crew had time to get it wet it was called into
action when two kite-surfers became entangled. They were off
Martello Bay just before 6pm where the lifeboat crew were
familiarising themselves with the new boat when one of the crew
spotted the two men in the water. The wind was blowing twenty miles
an hour and the sea was showing white horses. One managed to get
ashore unaided and the other was helped to the beach with his
equipment.
The new boat is an updated version of the existing “D” class and is
faster and more stable. She will be officially named and presented
to the station in September.
Press Officer Mel Winger
27/06/2009 |
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Kite-surfers in the water
Just after 5pm
on Friday 29th May
coastguards received a report of two kite- surfers in the water at
Martello bay. The “D” class lifeboat was launched and found one of
the surfers, the other having managed to get ashore, and brought him
ashore at Martello beach. The lifeboat was back on station at
5.30pm.
Press Officer Mel Winger
29/05/2009 |
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Jet Skiers Rescued
Clacton’s “D” class lifeboat launched at 1.05pm
on Friday 22nd May
after coastguards received a call from two jet skiers broken down
three quarters of a mile off Jaywick. One ski had a rope jammed in
the impeller and the other had broken down while trying to tow him
to shore. The lifeboat towed them both to Martello beach.
The boat was ready for service at 2pm.
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Call to Jet-ski
Clacton’s “D” class lifeboat launched at 3.08pm
on Monday 4th May
to a jet-ski which had broken down half a mile off the town’s pier.
On arrival the crew found the ski had been taken in tow by another
jet-ski and they escorted both back to Martello beach.
The lifeboat was back on station at 3.45pm.
Press Officer Mel Winger
05/05/2009 |
Search for person in water
 The photo shows both lifeboats and the Sea King helicopter. |
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Both Clacton lifeboats launched at 12.45pm
on Monday 27th April
after coastguards received a report of a person in the water to the
east side of the pier. The search and rescue helicopter was called
and two support vessels from the off-shore wind farm which is under
construction also joined the search. The tide was high and a 25 knot
wind made the sea rough. A thorough search of an area from the pier
to the Gunfleet sailing club at Holland-on-Sea revealed nothing and
the search was moved to the west side of the pier and again nothing
was found. The coastguard was satisfied that the area had been
covered and the lifeboats were stood down at 2.15pm.
Press Officer Mel Winger
01/05/2009 |
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Yacht on rocks
Clacton’s Atlantic 75 was asked to launch shortly before 5pm
on Tuesday 21st April
after coastguards received a call that a boat was on the rocks at
Lion Point, Jaywick.
The crew arrived to find the 23foot yacht “Lark” with one man on
board drifting on to the rock breakwater having suffered engine
failure. Needing to get a line aboard the vessel the crew called for
the “D” class lifeboat to be launched, and a pump was brought incase
the yacht had holed.
With the tide still rising and an onshore breeze a line was taken
aboard and the yacht was held to prevent her being driven further
onto the rocks. After about an hour the tide had risen sufficiently
for her to be pulled clear, and after a check for any damage she was
towed to her anchorage in Arlesford Creek.
The lifeboats were back on station at 8.30pm.
Press Officer Mel Winger
24/04/2009 |
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Cruiser Aground
Both Clacton lifeboats, the Atlantic 75 and D class, launched at
8.30pm
on Sunday 29th March
to a thirty foot cruiser which had run aground in the River Colne at
the entrance to Alresford Creek. The vessel had four men and a dog
on board and had grounded on a falling tide. A small day boat was
standing by to see if he could be of assistance, and the lifeboat
managed to transfer the men and the dog to it. Leaving the cruiser
at anchor the lifeboat escorted the crew into Brightlingsea.
The lifeboats were back on station at 9.45pm.
Boat sinking
The Atlantic 75 launched at 8.30am
on Monday 30th March
after coastguards received a mayday call. A small cabin boat had
launched from Clactons east beach and had reached about half a mile
out from the pier when the three people on board noticed that the
vessel was taking water. The lifeboat took two of the people off and
got the boat back to the beach.
The lifeboat was back on station at 9.20am.
Press Officer Mel Winger
30/03/2009 |
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Engine Failure
Clacton-on-Sea’s Atlantic 75 lifeboat launched at 11am
on Saturday 14th
after coastguards received a call for assistance from a twenty-two
foot speed boat with two people on board which had engine problems.
The speed boat was near the Ridge buoy in the Whitaker Channel about
seven and a half miles south-west of Clacton. She was taken in tow
to the Essex marina on the river Crouch.
The lifeboat was back on station at 2pm.
Press Officer Mel Winger
15/03/2009 |
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Man in Water
Clactons’ D class lifeboat launched at 1.50pm after a man was seen
to jump from the towns’ pier. The crew managed to pull him from the
water and get to shore in a matter of minutes where paramedics and
the air ambulance were on hand. The sea and air temperatures were
very low and it was feared that he could not be saved.
The lifeboat was back on station at 2.30pm.
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Man taken ill on ship.
Clacton’s Atlantic 75 lifeboat launched at 3pm
on Saturday the 7th February
after a man was taken ill on a sail training ship. The vessel was in
the area of the Swin Spitway approximately five miles south west of
Clacton. The search and rescue helicopter was called to airlift the
man, who was suffering severe abdominal pain, to Colchester
hospital. Because of the rigging on the ship he was taken onboard
the lifeboat and lifted from there to the helicopter.
The lifeboat was back on station at 4pm.
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Assist Police
On New Years day the “D” class launched at 7.30pm to assist police
and coastguards searching for a person thought to be missing in the
area around the pier. After looking for over an hour in dark and
freezing conditions and having found nothing the search was called
off.
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Incident Off Brightlingsea On Sunday January 4th saw the “Atlantic 75” lifeboat launch at 2.10am after coastguards called for assistance with an incident in Brightlingsea. The lifeboat was recalled after ten minutes when the police had the matter under control. |
