RNLI Clacton launches Shannon on first service call
Another first for RNLI Clacton-on-Sea with their new Shannon class ALB (All-weather Lifeboat) attending its first service call to assist a yacht in distress.
On Saturday 26 April around 1.15pm whilst the volunteer crew of RNLI Clacton were afloat in Shannon class lifeboat ‘RNLB Chris & Jo West’ for exercising and training, when a service call was initiated from the HM Coastguard with reports of a vessel in distress around the area of Nas beacon.
The volunteers stopped their exercise and headed for the last reported location, south of West Mersea at Virley Channel, making their way through smooth but overcast conditions.
When the casualty vessel was located, it was discovered that the yacht had suffered a demasting and could not continue its onward passage. Our volunteers quickly assessed the casualty vessels occupants, of which all were found to be well, and established a tow line.
The vessel was then safely towed to West Mersea where the occupants returned to shore, and the vessel was moored for repairs.
RNLI Clacton Press Officer Mark Walsham said, ‘We were pleased to attend the stricken vessel, confirm the occupants were well and recover the vessel back to West Mersea.’
‘This marks the first service call for our new Shannon lifeboat, which arrived last November and is now in full active service. It demonstrates that the hard work, determination and training of our crew has resulted in this moment, where we used the capabilities of the new lifeboat to help someone in distress.’
The volunteer crew resumed their training before returning to the lifeboat station, where the lifeboat was recovered, cleaned and placed back on service.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.
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