Launched 18:02, Rehoused 19:20

Both boats launched in response to a report from the Essex Police helicopter that a man was caught in the mud near the Burnham Yacht Club (of which there are four).  The coastguard were unable to give a precise location, so the boats were put on standby while they checked the location with the police. 

The D class, which was already afloat proceeded up river on hearing that the casualty was at South Woodham Ferrers.  The Atlantic, which was still in the boathouse when this message came through, waited for instructions once afloat and then also proceeded up river.  

When they were about half way, the Coastguard told both boats to return to station as the Fire Service didn’t think there was enough water at Woodham.  This instruction was then changed and both boats were asked to proceed if they could.  Rescue helicopter 125 was tasked at about the same time.  The LBs arrived on scene to find a 55-year old man up to his waist in the mud with fire and police personnel in attendance.  Both crew from the ILB and one from the Atlantic went ashore to assist. 

It took two of them about 15 minutes to dig the man out of the mud during which time he was drifting in and out of conciousness.  The police helicopter which had been illuminating the scene had by this time returned to station as it was low on fuel.  Once the man was ashore he was dressed in dry clothing from the fire appliance and moved clear of obstructions for winching into the helicopter.  He and his daughter had been walking their dog, which had run off into the mud and had caught its lead on an obstruction.  The dog got its self free while the daughter raised the alarm.