Crew Page

Callouts 2002

WALTON & FRINTON SERVICES 2002

ON1154 Kenneth Thelwall II

19/5/02: Launch to assistance of 40ft. motor yacht QFD aground on Gunfleet Sands about one mile north east of the old lighthouse. Lifeboat was unable to reach the casualty due to ebbing tide and because of an unfavourable weather forecast Clacton “D” class lifeboat was requested to assist. The three people on board the casualty were taken off by the “D” class and transferred to the Walton lifeboat which landed them at Walton Pier at 23:30. Lifeboat returned to casualty on flood tide and put crew back on board. Casualty refloated, escorted off sands and made its own way to Titchmarsh Marina.

Launched: 21:13 RFS: 04:32 Wind: South 3/4 Sea: Slight

1/6/02: Launch to 7metre diving rib Venture broken down south east of South Galloper Buoy. On arrival at the casualty the four crew were taken on board and the rib towed to the mouth of the River Deben where the tow was handed over to the Felixstowe Volunteer patrol boat.

Launched: 12:37 RFS: 17:30 Wind: SW 2/3 Sea: slight

21/6/02: Launch to assist yacht Tunnus with fishing gear fouling propeller and rudder off the Naze, I pob, Gear cleared by lifeboat crew and yacht proceeded on its passage to Levington Marina.

Launched: 14:32 RFS: 15:08 Wind: SW 2/3 Sea: slight

8/7/02: Launch to Belgian trawler Flamingo 4 pob, after EPIRB beacon alarm heard, position believed to be south east of Long Sand Head. Belgian trawler Aquarius reported locating capsized hull of the Flamingo. Harwich lifeboat and Rescue 125 also proceeded together with other Belgian fishing vessels, Harwich pilot launch and merchant vessels. One body recovered by Harwich lifeboat close to hull of casualty, followed by recovery of second body later. Walton lifeboat carried out search without success. At about 06:00 Solent Coastguard Rescue helicopter India Juliet landed a team of Navy divers and gear onto Walton lifeboat. Divers made a search of the Flamingo as far as conditions allowed. The Coastguard Tug Anglian Monarch was sent from Dover to attempt to tow the casualty to the Long Sand Head where it could be beached to allow the divers to carry out a complete search of the hull for the remaining two persons. However the trawler sank shortly after being taken in tow between the Sunk Light Vessel and Inner Gabbard Sand. Walton lifeboat then returned to station, landing the divers at Titchmarsh Marina.

Launched: 02:05 RFS: 18:10 Wind: S 4/5 Sea: moderate

18/7/02: Launch to yacht Peterwit, 2 POB, with fouled propeller and rudder off the Naze. Lifeboat crew freed the yacht, which then proceeded to Titchmarsh Marina.

Launched: 13:30 RFS: 14:15 Wind: NE 2/3 Sea: slight

21/7/02: During the afternoon two jet skis left Clacton beach and headed out to sea. One of the jet skis broke down well out of sight of land. The other Jet Ski returned to Clacton and contacted coastguards reporting that the other Jet Ski had been left near a “lattice mast” which was taken to be the experimental wind mast on the Gunfleet Sands. Clacton Atlantic was launched and took the jet skier on board so as to identify the “lattice mast”. On arrival at the wind mast the jet skier stated that it was not the right one. Clacton LB then proceeded to the old Gunfleet lighthouse whilst Walton lifeboat and Rescue 125 were sent to assist. Walton lifeboat took the jet skier on board and after confirming that the Gunfleet lighthouse was not the “lattice mast” proceeded to the Sunk Beacon. The jet skier positively identified this as the correct one and both lifeboats began to search the Barrow Deep. Shortly afterwards an outward bound cargo vessel Clara reported a man in the water near her. The helicopter picked up the man and confirmed he was the missing jet skier. He was in very good condition. Walton lifeboat picked up the Jet Ski and took it to Clacton.

Launched: 19:05 RFS: 22:17 Wind: NW 4/5 Sea: moderate

26/7/02: Launch to yacht Jasba with fouled propeller and rudder between Stone Banks and Outer Ridge buoys, 2 POB. Fishing gear cleared and yacht proceeded to Titchmarsh Marina.

Launched: 17:35 RFS: 19:00 Wind: SW 2/3 Sea: slight

27/7/02: Launch to two yachts with fouled anchors near Stone Point. Situation resolved on arrival of lifeboat.

Launched: 18:01 RFS: 19:05 Wind: variable 1/2 Sea: slight

3/8/02: Launch to yacht Aqua Dancer aground on Sunk Sands, 2POB. Yacht refloated as lifeboat left moorings and proceeded on its voyage to Ramsgate.

Launched: 13:15 RFS: 13:21 Wind: SW 2/3 Sea: slight

16/8/02: Launch to 44ft motor yacht Lady Genevieve disabled after striking object, possibly oil drum between the South Galloper buoy and North Falls Head. The yacht could only make 5 knots and steer 30 degrees off intended course suggesting damage to both propellers and rudder. Local fishing vessel True to the Core reached the yacht first and took her in tow. Visibility was now very poor with thick fog. Lifeboat took over tow and took casualty to Levington Marina on river Orwell.

Launched: 15:24 RFS: 21:45 Wind: SE 2/3 Sea: slight

19/8/02: Launch to report of red flares in vicinity of Wallet Spitway, which had been seen by West Mersea LB out searching for a large speedboat, which had informed coastguards by mobile phone that they were running out of fuel. Several others vessels reported seeing the flares and the fishing vessel Boy Neil sighted a large speed boat, the Lady Jane with 4 POB. This was the vessel to which West Mersea LB had launched. Upon arrival Walton lifeboat took the speedboat in tow to Brightlingsea.

Launched: 21:43 RFS: 01:14 Wind: SW 2/3 Sea: slight

22/8/02: Paged to assist small yacht aground at Frinton but launch cancelled when yacht towed off beach by council patrol boat.

Paged 12:11

26/8/02: Launch to two yachts reported aground on Long Sand Head by passing vessels. On arrival at scene, one yacht Seawok had refloated and was attempting to sail to Harwich. The yacht Dawn Mystery contacted this yacht and reported that the casualty’s radio had been swamped and possible damage sustained to rudder. Walton lifeboat attended to the other yacht with Rescue 125 while Harwich lifeboat was sent to assist the Seawok. The second yacht Psamanthe with 2 POB was still pounding heavily on the sands. The helicopter took off the female crew member while the lifeboat made repeated attempts to get a line on board. A rocket line was fired which fell across the casualty’s stern, but the remaining crew member was unable to move from the cockpit to take the line. Just as the helicopter was about to winch off the remaining crewmember the Psamanthe refloated and the lifeboat was able to get alongside, put a man on board and take the yacht in tow to Titchmarsh Marina.

Launched: 09:35 RFS: 15:56 Wind: NNE 5/6 Sea: moderate with heavy swell on sands

28/8/02: Launch to yacht North Wind aground on Long Sand, 1 mile south of Black Deep Number 6 buoy, 3 POB. Belgian survey vessel Belgica stood by until lifeboat arrived. On flood tide lifeboat towed casualty clear of sands. The yacht was towed to the entrance of Harwich Harbour and then made its own way to Ipswich.

Launched: 19:55 RFS: 04:39 Wind: N 3/4 Sea: moderate

26/9/02: Launch to yacht Aeleo adrift, unsure of position and with three seasick crew on board. Initial reports had put the casualty in the mouth of the river Crouch but a search by Burnham Atlantic had failed to find the yacht. DF bearings obtained by the coastguard suggested the yacht was near the Barrow Deep No. 5 buoy. This was confirmed by a passing dredger the Arco Beck. Burnham Atlantic reached casualty first and took it in tow but in the prevailing conditions could make little headway. Walton lifeboat took over the tow and took the yacht to the entrance to the river Crouch where it was escorted by Burnham Atlantic to Burnham.

Launched: 07:03 RFS: 11:58 Wind: NW4/5 Sea: moderate

12/10/02: Paged at 1410 after Jet Ski broke down half mile off shore. Launch cancelled when casualty managed to reach shore before lifeboat launched.

10/12/02: Launch to motor launch Trevega reported in difficulties just south of the pier head. The crew had been reported as waving to the shore. Due to the weather conditions the coastguard requested the lifeboat to investigate. When the lifeboat reached the vessel the two occupants were found to be fishing. The lifeboat returned to station.

Launched: 1321 RFS: 1341 Wind: East 6-7 Sea: Rough