Launched 16:35, Rehoused 19:20

The Atlantic 75 Lifeboat was launched to initial reports of a 20ft fishing boat having broken down, with little or no fuel and unsure of her position.

The reports were that the vessel was one nautical mile north east of the entrance to the River Crouch, however when the Lifeboat reached the scene, neither they or Bradwell Coastguard could make visual contact.

Southend Coastguard reported that the casualty vessel was situated opposite the Lattice Mast off of Foulness Island, having drifted from their initial position of the mouth of the River Crouch.

The Atlantic 75 then began to make it’s way closer to the stricken boat, however this was made more hazerdous by the low water and submerged objects causing hidden obstructions and dangers below the surface. It was felt that at this time, the IB1 Lifeboat would be better able to reach the vessel more safely due to it’s ability to operate in extremely shallow water and the Lifeboat crew were then paged again.

Due to the weather conditions being a little rough and the hazerdous obstructions on the river bed, the casualty vessel then sustained considerable damage from a submerged spike which had impaled the boat through the floor and her crew were unable to save her.

At this point the Atlantic Lifeboat had no choice but to make a dash for the casualty to retrieve the stricken vessels on board crew, before she took on even more water. The IB1 Lifeboat was then stood down and returned to station.

The Atlantic 75 made her way further out to sea and around the Maplin Sands, back in to the mouth of the River Crouch and then returned the casualty vessels crew to the Lifeboat Station, where they were provided with a hot cup of tea while they waited to be collected by family members.