Call No.41
07/11/2010: Diverted on way back to Walton when Thames Coastgurd received a 999 call saying a small dinghy had broken down of the Clacton sailing club with 2 pob trying to row ashore. On arrival towed the boat close into shore were they dropped there anchor & was awaiting the tide to drop away before they could retrieve there boat. Due to the wind increasing & the high tide Thames Coastguard requested that Clacton inshore boat assist them with the recovery.
This call of 41 this year equals the all time record here at Walton from the mid 80s.
Diverted: 12:20 RRFS: 13:45 Wind: NNE 5-6 Sea: Moderate
Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, K Bigwood, K Bruce, J Hale, D Steggles & K Leach.
Call No.40
07/11/2010: Launched at 10:20 to a 56ft steel motor cruiser Moonlight 11, with 4pob near the Eagle Buoy 11 miles S W of Walton. The police rib was already in attendance but due to its size & weight was unable to tow her. Once a crew member was put on board with a VHF the tow was attached & made way into Brightlingsea. She was moored on a pontoon with the Marine Police still in attendance. The Lifeboat then returned home at 12:20. On return home got a call from Thames Coastguard concerning a small craft of Holland on Sea. (See next call No: 41)
Launched: 10:20 Diverted: 12:45 Wind: NNE 4-5 Sea: Moderate
Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, K Bigwood, K Bruce, J Hale, D Steggles & K Leach.
Call No.39
31/10/2010: Launched to assistance of single-handed 50ft yacht Thalamege suffering engine failure nine miles ESE of Walton. On scene lifeboat crew member put on board and yacht towed to Shotley Marina.
Launched: 15:24 RFS: 18:55 Wind: NE 2 Sea: Calm
Crew: T Halls, K Bigwood, R Farrance, K Bruce, M Rayner & J Hale
Call No.38
25/10/2010: Launched to assistance of 60ft RAF pinnace Arwenack 2pob, broken down near north
end of Gunfleet Sands, five miles south east of Walton. Towed to Shotley.
Launched: 17:40 RFS: 21:40 Wind: Light variable airs Sea: Calm
Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, K Bigwood, M Oakes & C Poole
Call No.37
9/10/2010: Launched to assistance of 28ft Belgian yacht Margoviliat 2pob, aground on Long Sand Head. When five miles from casualty position a fault developed on the port engine, the lifeboat continuing on the starboard engine. Due to the weather conditions the coxswain requested the launch of Harwich lifeboat.
On arriving at the Long Sand the lifeboat anchored and veered down towards the yacht. Heavy breaking surf on the bank caused the lifeboat to pound heavily and solid water was continually breaking over it. Language difficulties added to the communication problems. With Harwich lifeboat now on scene and standing off on the edge of the bank a decision was made to launch its Y class inflatable in an attempt to connect a towline between Walton lifeboat and the yacht. Walton lifeboat was by now within 10-15 yards of the yacht but could see no sign of life on board, which also failed to reply to radio calls from the lifeboat. During this time heavy seas breaking over the lifeboat continually swamped the lifeboat crew working on deck. Safety harnesses were worn throughout. As the lifeboat veered down almost alongside on the anchor cable the yacht was lifted by a breaking sea and swept down wind and tide.
Whilst Walton lifeboat recovered its anchor the Harwich lifeboat proceeded back around the Long Sand Head into the Black Deep in case the yacht was knocked across the bank into deeper water. Walton lifeboat meanwhile took the two crew of the Harwich Y boat on board and the inflatable in tow and proceeded slowly off the bank into the Knock Deep.
Harwich lifeboat meanwhile had proceeded into the Black Deep and as the yacht was swept over the western edge of the bank into deeper water, succeeded in making radio contact with it, which confirmed that both men on board were ok. The Harwich lifeboat managed to get a line on board the yacht and pulled it clear of the bank. The yacht had lost its rudder and its keel was damaged but it was not making water. Walton lifeboat towed the Y boat back to Harwich lifeboat station and decision was then made for Walton lifeboat to remain at Harwich lifeboat station where it would be easier for investigation of the engine fault to be made. Walton crew returned to Walton by road. Harwich lifeboat towed the yacht to Shotley Marina.
Launched: 19:45 Moored Harwich: 00:30 Crew Returned Walton: 02:30
Wind: NE 5 Sea: Moderate in open water, heavy breaking surf on sands
Crew: T Halls, K Bigwood, R Farrance, K Bruce, M Oakes, M Rayner & K Leech
Call No. 36
16/9/2010: Launched to assistance of 30ft motor cruiser Alowa , 2 pob, broken down close to Swin Spitway Buoy, 11 miles SSW of pier. Clacton A75 also launched. Upon arrival at position Walton LB towed casualty to Brightlingsea.
Launched: 16:56 RFS: 20:46 Wind: NW4 Sea: Slight
Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, M Oakes, S Berry, J Hale, D Steggles & Relief Mechanic P Pitham
Call No. 35
16/9/2010: Launched to assistance of 44ft cockle fishing vessel Wash Pilgrim, 3pob, with broken gearbox close to NE Maplin buoy, 15 miles SSW of pier. Towed to Brightlingsea.
Launched: 05:29 RFS: 10:30 Wind: WNW 4 Sea: Slight
Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, R Farrance, K Bruce, M Oakes, S Berry & Relief Mechanic P Pitham
Call No. 34
11/9/2010: Launched to assistance of 40ft yacht Celandine, 3 pob, with engine failure, damaged
rigging and fatigued crew close to Long Sand Head. Casualty located east of Sunk Inner Buoy
in Sunk Deep Water route 15.4 miles east of Walton. The yacht was taken in tow and placed on
a mooring in Walton Backwaters. The very low tide prevented the lifeboat taking the vessel to
Titchmarsh Marina and two of the three crew on board the yacht were landed at Walton Pier by the
lifeboat. The yacht had been on its way to West Mersea having left Holland 36 hours previously.
Launched: 16:05 RFS: 21:46 Wind: SW 5/6 Sea: Moderate
Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, R Farrance, J Hale, D Steggles, K Leech & Relief Mechanic J Quinn
Call No. 33
5/9/2010: Launched to assist in search for missing 55 year male believed to be close to the pier
and possibly in the sea. Close shoreline search carried out together with police helicopter, police,
coastguards and lifeboat shore crew. Search terminated when missing man found safe ashore.
Launched: 21:29 RFS: 22:50 Wind: ESE 5 Sea: Moderate
Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, K Bigwood, R Farrance, R Wyatt, S Berry & D Steggles
Call No. 32
29/8/2010: Launched to assistance of yacht Goldfinch, aground on Pye sands near No.8 buoy.
Yacht refloated just before lifeboat arrived. Lifeboat then returned to station.
Launched: 09:10 RFS: 10:15 Wind: WNW 5/6 Sea: Slight
Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, K Bigwood, K Bruce, R Wyatt, S berry & K Leech
Call No. 31
25/8/2010: Paged for launch to yacht reported aground on Foulness sand, near NE Maplin Buoy.
Launch cancelled as yacht refloated and resumed passage.
Paged: 20:08
Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, K Bigwood, K Bruce, M Oakes & S Berry
Call No. 30
24/8/2010: Launched to assistance of 36ft Sail Training Yacht Dayspring, 5pob, with engine
failure and fatigued crew near North Hook Middle Buoy, ten mile south of Walton Pier. On arrival
decision was made to tow yacht to Shotley Marina due to weather conditions.
Launched: 18:57 RFS: 00:56 Wind: SW 5/6 Sea: Moderate
Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, K Bigwood, R Farrance, M Oakes, S Berry & M Rayner
Call No.29
21/8/2010: Whilst returning from previous call to Sea Pigeon asked by Thames Coastguard to
search off the Naze for a missing person. As the lifeboat reached the searched area missing person
was reported safe ashore. Lifeboat returned to station:
Diverted: 01:36 RFS: 02:00
Crew as for Call 28.
Call No. 28
20/8/2010: Launched to assistance of yacht Sea Pigeon, 2 pob, aground on East Barrow sands.
Yacht had just refloated when lifeboat arrived but could not get clear of bank, as its engine was not
working. The two yachtsmen were taken aboard lifeboat and oxygen administered to one who had
suffered a panic attack. Yacht then towed to Brightlingsea.
Launched: 18:56 Diverted: 01:36 Wind: SW4 Sea: Slight
Crew: R Farrance, K Bigwood, K Bruce, R Wyatt, S Berry, M Rayner & K Leech
Call No. 27
17/8/2010: Launched to assist to assist 35ft yacht Thrya aground on the East Barrow sands with two people and a cat on board. Clacton Atlantic 75 was also launched. Before the lifeboats arrived at the position the yacht was knocked across the sands by the swell into the Barrow Deep Channel were it was spotted by a dredger, the Arco Avon, near the Barrow 7 Buoy. Clacton LB arrived first and transferred a crew member to the yacht which was found to have steering problems. When Walton LB arrived a tow line was passed and the deputy second coxswain transferred to the yacht, Clacton LB then returned to station. The yacht was then towed to Brightlingsea arriving two hours later at 6am.
Launched: 02:27 RFS: 07:15 Wind: NW4/5 Sea: Moderate
Crew: G Edwards, K Bigwood, R Farrance, M Oakes, S Berry, K leech & D Steggles.
8/8/2010: Launched to assist disabled 32ft yacht Gauntlet 3 pob, with engine and electrical instrument failure near NE Gunfleet Buoy, seven miles ESE of Walton. Towed to Titchmarsh Marina.
Launched: 06:21 RFS: 10:06 Wind: NW 2 Sea: Slight
Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, K Bigwood, R Farrance, K Bruce, M Oakes & D Steggles
Call No. 24
31/7/2010: Launched to assist 37ft power racing boat Blue Absolute, 2 pob, a competitor in the European Power Boat Championships being held at Harwich which had suffered engine and electronics failure close to Gunfleet Spit Buoy six miles south of Walton. On arrival tow connected and craft towed to Halfpenny Pier at Harwich.
Launched: 13:20 RFS: 16:30 Wind: SW 4 Sea: Slight
Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, K Bigwood, R Bettany, M Oakes, K Leech & D Steggles.
Call No. 23
27/7/2010: Launched to assist 45ft (13metre) beam trawler Peace and Plenty, 2pob, with engine failure near Black deep 5 buoy 13 miles south of Walton. Vessel taken in to its home port of Paglesham on the River Roach and placed on its mooring. As the trawler could not raise its gear completely this was the only option. This was the tenth launch in July beating what is believed to be the previous record of nine in 1999.
Launched: 08:35 RFS: 15:58 Wind: SW 3 Sea: Slight
Crew: G Edwards, K Bigwood, K Bruce, M Oakes, S Berry, J Hale & D Steggles
Call No.22
22/7/2010: Launched to assist 20ft yacht Listen, one pob, with rigging failure and no fuel near Gunfleet Spit Buoy, five miles south east of pier. On arrival at scene yacht found in very shallow water, lifeboat second coxswain put on board to connect tow line and yacht pulled off sands. Owner of yacht taken on board lifeboat and yacht towed to Walton River and placed on mooring.
Launched: 14:09 RFS: 18:52 Wind: SE5 Sea: Slight
Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, K Bigwood, S Berry, M Rayner, K Leech & D Steggles
Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, K Bigwood, R Bettany, M Oakes, S Berry & M Rayner.
Call No. 19
19/7/2010: Launched to assist 30ft yacht Nomad with engine failure close to South Cork
Buoy, five miles east of pier, three persons on board. Towed to mooring in Walton River.
Launched: 21:15 RFS: 00:30 Wind: SSE: 2 Sea: Slight
Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, K Bigwood, K Bruce, C Smith, M Oakes & M Rayner.
Call No. 18
19/7/2010: Launched to assist 30ft yacht Dolice Vita with fouled propeller and one
person on board, close to Medusa Buoy 2 miles South East of Pier. Towed to Shotley
Marina near Harwich.
Launched: 12:57 RFS: 15:29 Wind: SSE: 3 Sea: Slight
Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, K Bigwood, R Farrance, C Smith, M Oakes & J Hale.
Call No. 17
11/7/2010: Launched together with Harwich Atlantic 75 to assist 30ft yacht One Bamboo 1 pob,aground on Pye Sands close to High Hill Buoy.
Yacht was listing heavily and making water through bilge pump outlet. Harwich A75 put pump on board and stemmed the flow of water.
Harwich ILB returned to station and on flood tide Walton lifeboat assisted to refloat yacht. The yacht was undamaged and made its own way into Walton Backwaters.
Launched: 17:23 RFS: 21:00 Wind: S 3 Sea: Slight
Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, K Bruce, R Wyatt, M Rayner, K Leech & D Steggles.
Call No. 16
10/7/2010: Launched to assist a 23ft angling boat Sweet Chariot, 2 persons on board 12 miles
South East of Walton Pier with engine failure. A towline was attached & the Lifeboat made way
towards Walton Backwaters, where she handed over the tow to Limosa the local backwaters
Warden. The Lifeboat then returned to Walton Pier.
Launched: 08:25 RFS: 11:15 Wind: SSE 3 Sea: Slight
Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, R Farrance, K Bigwood, K Bruce, M Oakes, & D Steggles.
Call No. 15
9/7/2010: Launched to a 37ft wooden yacht Caressa 2 persons on board 10 miles South East of
Walton Pier. A towline was attached to Caressa & the Lifebaoat waited of the bank for the tide
to make up. Once the casualty had refloated the Lifeboat towed her clear of the sand bank & she
made her own way onto Ramsgate.
Launched: 16:01 RFS: 19:10 Wind: SSE 3 Sea: Slight
Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, K Bigwood, K Bruce, M Oakes, M Rayner & T Hale.
Call No. 14
6/7/2010: Launched to assist 72ft gaff yawl Duet, 4pob, aground on Buxey Sand, 12 miles south of Walton Pier. On flood tide towline attached to Duet to stop her being pushed further up the sand bank by freshening southerly wind. Casualty refloated at 17: 45 and escorted through Spitway into the wallet before making her own way to Ipswich. Lifeboat returned to station.
This is the second time the Walton and Frinton lifeboat has launched to the Duet although the last occasion was nearly 59 years ago! In August 1951 the lifeboat EMED assisted the Duet after she went aground on the Cork Sands off Harwich. The Duet on that occasion was owned by the famous Polar explorer Augustine Courtauld who was also a member of the RNLI Committee of Management. He subsequently donated a new lifeboat, the Edian Courtauld to Walton in 1953.
Launched: 14:00 RFS: 19:00 Wind: SSE 4 Sea: Slight
Crew: G Edwards, K Bigwood, M Oakes, M Rayner, J Hale, T Hale & J Everett
Call No.12
24/6/2010: Launched to assistance of 16ft angling boat Jemma Dee, 1 pob, with engine failure
close to Barrow 4 buoy, 11 miles south of Walton. On arrival owner of Jemma Dee taken aboard
lifeboat and vessel towed to Brightlingsea.
Launched: 15:30 Diverted: 19:40
Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, K Bigwood, R Wyatt, S Berry, M Rayner & J Hale.
30/5/2010: Launched to assistance of 33ft yacht Arcanian, 4 pob with engine failure and unable to reach Titchmarsh Marina in adverse wind conditions. Yacht taken in tow three miles NNE of the pier and towed to Titchmarsh Marina.
Launched: 15:57 RFS: 18:27 Wind: WNW 6/7 Sea: Moderate
Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, K Bigwood, R Bettany, K Bruce, M Oakes & D Steggles
Call No. 9
30/5/2010: Launched to assistance of 27ft yacht Waratah, 3 pob, with damaged foresail and stay problems south of South Cork Buoy. The yacht was concerned about the safety of its mast. Once on scene a lifeboat crewmember was put aboard and foresail untangled and the forestay secured. Yacht then escorted under engine power to Harwich, after which it made its own way to Ipswich. Waratah had been en route from Ostend when her foresail had jammed.
Launched: 04:20 RFS: 0620 Wind: WNW 3/4 Sea: Slight
Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, K Bigwood, R Farrance, R Wyatt, M Oakes & D Steggles
Call No. 8
24/5/2010: Walton & Frinton Tyne class lifeboat Kenneth Thelwall II was launched on Monday 24th May at 18:50 to the assistance of a 24metre Belgian beam trawler Morgenster with 4 persons on board. The trawler had fouled her propeller while fishing seven miles south of Walton Pier. On arrival at the casualty the lifeboat took her in tow, the coxswain deciding due to weather and tidal conditions to take the trawler to Brightlingsea. Reaching Brightlingsea at 22:00 (high water) the trawler was manoeuvred onto the town hard scrubbing posts with the help of the harbour launch to allow her to dry out and free the nets from her propeller. Once this was done the lifeboat returned to Walton and was ready for service at midnight. The Morgenster, having freed her propeller left Brightlingsea 12 hours later on the next high water.
Launched: 18:52 RFS: 23:50 Wind: ENE 5 Sea: Moderate
Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, K Bigwood, R Farrance, R Wyatt, M Oakes & S Berry
Call No. 7
23/05/2010: Launched to assistance of 24ft angling boat Blue Reef, 2 pob drifiting with fouled propeller by anchor rope, 5 miles east of Walton Pier. Could not free the rope so the boat was towed to Shotly Marina
Launched: 14:18 RFS: 17:00 Wind: S/W 2 Sea: Smooth
Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, K Bigwood, K Bruce, R Wyatt, S Berry & D Steggles.
Call No.6
3/5/2010: Launched to assistance of 37ft yacht Jigsaw, 6 pob broken down with engine failure close to Nass Beacon off Mersea, 15miles S/W off Walton Pier. Yacht was put on tow & preceded into Brightlingsea were she was moored on the local pontoons.
Launched: 15:16 RFS: 18:48 Wind: NE 6/7 Sea: Moderate
Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, R Farrance, K Bigwood, K Bruce, C Smith & S Berry.
Call No.5
1/03/2010: Paged to assist with a reported fire on Clacton Pier but before launching stood down as it was established that the report was a false alarm.
Paged: 18:22
Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, K Bigwood, R Farrance, K Bruce, C Smith, M Oakes & S Berry.
Call No.4
14/2/2010: Launched to assistance of 7metre fishing vessel Sweet Freedom, 3 pob broken down with engine failure close to wallet 2 buoy, four miles south east of Walton Pier. Towed to Levington Marina on River Orwell.
Launched: 13:19 RFS: 16:30 Wind: NE 2 Sea: Calm
Crew: R Farrance, K Bigwood, K Bruce, R Wyatt, M Oakes, S Berry & J Hale.
Call No. 3
29/01/2010: Launched on service to search for a carrier on Channel 16. As searched commenced signal finding equipment pointed towards Holland on Sea radar mast. No other boats or devices in the area. Upon further investigation it was found out that there was a faulty device located on the Radar Mast transmitting on Channel 16.
Launched: 20:43 RFS :21:55 Wind: E 5/6 Sea: Moderate
Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, K Bigwood, R Farrance, C Smith, R Bettany & M Oakes
12/01/2010: Launched to assist Clacton A75, which had been tasked to search for a 27ft motorboat XLT with 2 pob, thought to be aground in the Buxey Sand area. The XLT had left Maldon earlier in the day for Southend but had no radio or charts and could not give an exact position. It was also extremely cold with freshening winds. The casualty was located aground by Clacton A75 at the southern end of the Ray Sand Channel.
Walton Lifeboat arrived and when there was sufficient water a tow rope was passed by Clacton A75 to the XLT & towed into deeper water. The casualty vessel was then passed to Walton Lifeboat. After some discussion it was decided to tow the boat into Brightlingsea while Clacton A75 returned to station.
Launched: 16:41 RFS :22:00 Wind: ESE 5/6 Sea: Moderate
Crew: G Edwards, T Halls, K Bigwood, K Bruce, M Oakes, S Berry & J Hale
Call No.1
3/01/2010: Launched to assist the Lowestoft based 15 metre (50ft) 90 ton trawler Catherine Annie which was disabled with a fouled propeller 23 miles south east of Walton with two crew on board. On arrival on scene at 0245 a tow rope was passed and the trawler towed to Harwich arriving at 0730.
The tow parted twice as the lifeboat made its way through the busy deep water traffic lanes leading to London and Felixstowe. Weather conditions were poor with a force 6/7 north easterly wind, rough seas and 3-4 metre swell and frequent snow showers in the freezing temperatures.
Launched: 0128 RFS: 0855 Wind: NE 6/7 Sea: Rough
Crew List: G Edwards, T Halls, K Bigwood, R Farrance, K Bruce, M Oakes & S Berry
