Walton & Frinton Lifeboat - Callouts

Call No. 27

9/12/06: Launch to assist 24ft Snapdragon class yacht Miss Amanda, 3 pob, sending Mayday near to NE Maplin Buoy. Rescue Helicopter 125 was also tasked. Thames CG had heard a child’s voice calling for assistance on Channel 16, followed by the word Mayday. VHF bearings by the coastguard had established an approximate position. During this time the coastguard also received a telephone call from the wife of the owner of the Miss Amanda. The wife informed the coastguard that she had received a mobile text message from her husband and two sons stating that we have hit something. She also informed the coastguard that her husband and 13-year-old son were profoundly deaf, but that her 11-year-old son was not. Fortunately the text also contained a position in latitude and longitude. Radio communication between the coastguard and the yacht were lost for some time and not restored until the helicopter arrived on scene. 125 established that the vessel was aground on the Maplin Spit with its engine broken down and that the three crew were ok although cold. When the lifeboat arrived the yacht was still pounding on the sand. Once alongside the man and two children were taken on board the lifeboat and given hot drinks. The yacht was then taken in tow to Brightlingsea, with the three survivors sleeping all the way. The yacht was safely moored at Brightlingsea were the man and his sons were happy to stay on board. The yacht had been on passgae from Wivenhoe on the Colne to the Greenwich Yacht Club in London.

Launched: 20:50 RRFS: 02:30 Wind: W2/3 Sea: Slight

Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, K Bigwood, R Farrance, R Bettany, And C Smith.

Call No. 26

24/11/06: Launch to assist 24ft motor boat African Queen making water off St Peters Flats at the entrance to River Blackwater, 2 pob. Lifeboat recalled when off Frinton as casualty had reached Bradwell Marina with the assistance of West Mersea Atlantic.

Launched: 12:45 RRFS: 13:25 Wind: South 6/7 Sea: Rough

Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, K Bigwood, R Wyatt, M Oakes, C Smith, M Rayner and J Cooper.

Call No. 25

11/11/06: Launch to assist twin hulled motor vessel (catamaran) Dolphin Adventure with one engine out of action near Barrow No 2 Buoy. The two men on board asked for assistance after they found it impossible to steer the vessel in the poor weather conditions. On arrival the lifeboat took the vessel in tow to Titchmarsh Marina. The Dolphin Adventure was on trials prior to making passage to Gibraltar where it is intended to use her as a pleasure vessel-viewing dolphins etc.

Launched: 15:55 RRFS: 20:15 Wind: WSW 6/7 Sea: Moderate

Crew: T Halls, R Farrance, K Bigwood, R Wyatt, C Smith, And M Oakes.

Call No. 24

21/10/06: Launch to assistance of 41ft ex-navy craft Millbrae making water near Maplin Edge. The casualty beached itself on Foulness Sand 13 miles SSW of Walton Pier. Burnham Atlantic was also launched. As tide was ebbing lifeboats unable to reach casualty but one crewman from Walton and Burnham Atlantic walked over sands to casualty & inspected damage to hull. The two people from the casualty were taken back across the sands to Walton lifeboat and taken to Burnham Yacht harbour for dry clothes and rest prior to an attempt to refloat the vessel on the flood tide. Both lifeboats returned to the casualty at about 21:00 and as the tide rose Walton lifeboat was able to get alongside and transfer salvage pump to the Millbrae which was still making water. The pump was able to keep the situation under control and a decision was made to attempt to tow the casualty close inshore near Foulness Point. Once afloat the casualty was towed towards Foulness Point and anchored as close to the high water mark as possible in a waterlogged condition. The owner was taken back to Burnham on the Atlantic and Walton lifeboat returned to station.

Launched: 15:18 RRFS: 01:37 Wind: SW 5/6 Sea: Moderate

Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, K Bigwood, R Wyatt, & P Moore.

Call No. 23

4/10/06: Launch to assist 49ft ketch Offshore Scout aground on Gunfleet Sands about one mile east of the lighthouse, 9 pob. With the tide falling the lifeboat unable to refloat the yacht and after waiting for the yacht to settle on the sands the lifeboat returned to station. On the flood tide the lifeboat returned to the Offshore Scout and stood by until it refloated undamaged. The yacht continued on passage to Harwich and the lifeboat returned to station.

Launched: 13:18/18:01 RRFS: 14:37/20:49 Wind: NW5 later SW4 Sea: Moderate later slight

Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, R Farrance, K Bigwood, R Wyatt, And M Oakes.

Call No. 22

27/9/06: Diverted from exercise to assist 27ft-fishing boat Cockney Rebel, 2 pob, broken down in vicinity of Colne Bar. The vessel was on passage from Newhaven to Brightlingsea and was in shallow water very close to the beach. Towed Brightlingsea.

Diverted: 19:35 RRFS: 23:00 Wind: SW 5/6 Sea: Moderate

Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, R Farrance, K Bigwood, R Wyatt, M Oakes, J Cooper, and P Moore

Call No. 21

2/9/06: Launch to 36ft yacht Why Knot, 1 pob, with engine failure in vicinity of North East Gunfleet Buoy. The Why Knot was on passage from Portsmouth to Hull and the yachtsman was fatigued due to stress of weather & engine failure. The yacht was still under sail when the lifeboat reached it about ¼ mile east of the south end of the Cork Sand on which the sea was breaking heavily. After taking down its sails the yacht was taken in tow to Titchmarsh Marina. The yachtsman reported a wind speed of 45 knots on his wind gauge.

Launched: 17:23 RRFS: 20:56 Wind: SW 8/9 Sea: Rough

Crew: G Edwards, K Bigwood, R Farrance, R Bettany, K Bruce, R Wyatt and C Smith

Call No. 20

12/8/06: Launched to assist a 25ft motorboat Irresponsible on passage from St Osyth to Grimsby with total engine failure, 2 miles off the Naze. Took casualty under tow & proceeded into Tichmarsh marina.

Crew: G Edwards, K Bigwood, R Wyatt, C Smith, M Oakes And M Rayner.

Launched: 08:50 RRFS: 11:30 Wind: NNW 4-5 Sea: Slight

Call No. 19

9/9/06: Launch to assistance of 35ft motor yacht Jessica 11 aground on East barrow Sand, 2 pob. Vessel had sustained damage to propellers and after refloating was towed to Brightlingsea.

Launched: 20:25 RRFS: 00:55 Wind: E 4 Sea: Moderate

Crew: T Halls, K Bigwood, K Bruce, R Wyatt, C Smith, S Peters.

Call No. 18

7/8/06: Launched to assist a 23ft yacht Mistress who was pounding on Buxey sands. Clacton towed casualty clear of the sands & proceeded up river to Burnham. On arrival Clacton transferred tow to Walton & they continued up river. Burnham then met Walton & took the casualty to her moorings in Pagglesham.

Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, R Farrance, K Bigwood, K Bruce, and W Bell.

Launched: 19:06 RRFS: 22:10 Wind: N/E 4 Sea: slight

Call No. 17

28/7/06: Launch to assistance of 25ft yacht Stella Lucia, 1 POB, with fouled propeller and rudder near Medusa Buoy. Yacht freed from obstruction by lifeboat and after checking for damage continued on passage. Lifeboat returned to station.

Launched: 10:26 RRFS: 11:12 Wind: SE 2 Sea: calm

Call No. 16

23/7/06: Launched to assistance of 38ft yacht Frenzy Free, 2 POB, making water 3 miles south east of Long Sand Head. Vessel was 19.5 miles ESE of station and still taking water on, but source of leak was difficult to discover. Yacht towed to Shotley. This was also Ricky Farrance our Dept 2nd coxswains first call in command.

Launched: 10:22 RRFS: 17:16 Wind: SSE 2 Sea: Slight

Call No. 15

14/7/06: Launch to assist 30ft Motor Yacht Lady J II, 2 pob + 2 dogs aground on Foulness Sand near the Ridge Buoy. Communication with the casualty was poor and initial radio communication was via other yachts in the area. Clacton ILB also launched and towed casualty clear of sands on flood tide, transferring tow to Walton lifeboat. The casualty’s steering was damaged and she was towed to Brightlingsea.

Launched: 10:29 RRFS: 14:49 Wind: NE 5/6 Sea: Rough

Call No. 14

16/7/06: Launched to assist in search for 15ft speedboat, 2 POB, aground and lost in Thames Estuary. Boat had left Maldon bound Burnham but had run aground on a sandbank, exact position unknown. No radio communication and casualty’s mobile phone battery was flat. Sheerness LB, Margate LB and ILB and rescue helicopter 125 all tasked to search. Shortly after launching 125 found the speedboat hard aground on the Maplin Sands. Helicopter winched the men off the speedboat and landed them at Southend airport. All other units stood down and returned to station. The two men had lifejackets but no charts, flares, anchor or VHF radio.

Launched: 21:52 RRFS: 22:19 Wind: NE 1 Sea: Calm

Call No. 13

8/7/06: Launched after spoken word mayday heard from yacht Carolina stating sinking two miles off Clacton Pier. Large-scale search made of Colne Estuary with Clacton and West Mersea A 75’s. Nothing found; considered malicious hoax.

Launched: 22:56 RRFS: 01:15 Wind: WSW 5 Sea: Moderate

Call No. 12

10/7/06: launch to assist 25ft yacht Maitresse, 1 pob with fouled propeller near Medusa Buoy 1.5 miles east of pier. Fishing gear freed but yacht towed into lifeboat berth at end of pier in order to free rope that was still round propeller. This was accomplished and yacht proceeded on passage to the Medway.

Launched: 05:54 RRFS: 07:46 Wind: W 2 Sea: slight

Call No. 11

8/6/06: Launch to assist yacht Mwingo with rudder fouled by fishing gear off the Naze. The lifeboat succeeded in freeing the yacht from the gear, which then continued on passage to Brightlingsea.

Launched: 16:05 RRFS: 17:03 Wind: SE 2 Sea: Slight

Call No. 10

7/6/06: Launch to assist 30ft motor yacht Shere Khan, disabled west of South Galloper Buoy, 2 pob. On arrival at position lifeboat towed casualty to Titchmarsh Marina.

Launched: 10:29 RRFS: 17:03 Wind: S 2/3 Sea: Slight

Call No. 9

27/5/06: Launch to assist yacht Carpe Diem 2 pob, aground on Long Sand close to Black Deep 6 Buoy. Yacht refloated before arrival of lifeboat and continued to Ramsgate. Lifeboat returned to station.

Launched: 15:46 RRFS: 16:48 Wind: NW 2 Sea: Slight (Heavy rain and poor visibility)

Call No. 8

23/5/06: Received a call from Thames Coastguard saying a Belgian beam trawler Job Senior 26metres in length had gone aground on the top end of the Longsand. On route also was HMS Severn who was patrolling in the area. With 4 miles to run the skipper reported he had got of the sands & was able to Continue with his passage so Lifeboat returned to station.

Launched: 20:36 RRFS: 22:05 Wind: south 6/7 Sea: Moderate

Call No. 7

1/5/06: Launch to the Sail Training Vessel Excelsior aground on the Colne Bar, with 3 crew, 9 children and 3 teachers on board. West Mersea ILB also launched and stood by until the arrival of the Walton Lifeboat. On arrival Walton Lifeboat attached tow line and pulled casualty’s bow round holding her in that position until on the flood tide the lifeboat pulled the Excelsior into deep water. The lifeboat escorted the vessel until the master reported that no damage had been sustained. The lifeboat was then diverted to another casualty.

Launched: 07:53 Diverted: 10:30 Wind: SW 6/7 Sea: Rough

Call No. 6

1/5/06: After leaving the Excelsior the lifeboat proceeded to the assistance of the motor yacht Nerida, which was aground on the Buxey Sand with Burnham ILB standing by. After the Nerida refloated the lifeboat escorted her through the Spitway towards Brightlingsea until the yacht was happy to proceed on its own. The lifeboat then returned to station.

Diverted: 10:30 RRFS: 13:25

Call No. 5

15/4/06: Launch to 28ft yacht Southern Comfort, 2 pob aground with fouled propeller on North Buxey Sand. The yacht had been towing an 18ft sailing boat from Brightlingsea to Burnham. On arrival at the position Deputy 2nd Coxswain Ricky Farrance walked a towline across to the casualty and also cleared the fouled propeller.

Both boats were refloated on the rising tide and towed to Brightlingsea. Lifeboat then returned to station.

Launched: 19:23 RRFS: 23:53 Wind: NE 3 Sea: Slight

Call No. 4

14/3/06: The lifeboat was launched, after an EPIRB (emergency) signal, was heard by the coastguard. The lifeboat was requested to proceed to the Wallet 6 Buoy about 4 miles south west of the pier to see if DF bearing could be obtained on the signal. No further signal was heard and with no sign of any vessel in distress the lifeboat returned to station.

Launched: 08:09 RRFS: 09:22 Wind: SE 3/4 Sea: Slight

Call No. 3

24/2/06: Launch to 36ft yacht Piranha, 5 POB, aground on Buxey Sand, close to Sunken Buxey Buoy. Burnham ILB also launched and took towrope from yacht to Walton lifeboat, which then anchored to await the flood tide. Yacht towed clear on flood tide without damage and made its own way into Burnham.

Launched: 14:55 RRFS: 19:11 Wind: NE 6/7 Sea: Rough

Call No.2

18/2/06: Launch to assistance of 26ft motor cruiser Aphrodite, 2 POB, with fuel problems 500 yards off the pier head. Towed Titchmarsh Marina.

Launched: 17: 47 RRFS: 19:56 Wind: SE 1/2 Sea: Calm

Call No.1

13/2/06: Whist working on the lifeboat in her berth, fishermen on the pier drew Mechanic Karl Bigwood’s attention to a capsized plastic canoe just off the pier head. Two teenage boys were sitting on the hull, with a third hanging onto the canoe. The mechanic immediately launched the Y-Class inflatable form the lifeboat berth by which time the canoe had drifted through the pier on the ebb tide. Taking the Y-Class through the pier the mechanic son reached the boys and took them aboard. They were all lightly clad in tee shirts and shorts. They were landed on the beach south of the pier into the care of the coastguard, all showing signs of hypothermia.

Launched: 11:51 RRFS: 12:20 Wind: Nil Sea: Calm