Launched 18:40, Rehoused 20:45

Both the Atlantic 75 and IB1 Lifeboats have been launched today to a Mayday call to assist a 10m wooden open vessel, thought to be late Victorian or early Edwardian.

The initial reports were that the boat was situated in the area of the Outer Crouch Buoy, however after further information was received it transpired that the vessel was actually in the Swin Spitway – a further 10 miles offshore.

Following this information, the IB1 Lifeboat was stood down and returned to station and the Atlantic 75 continued on as it is better equipped to cope with the longer distance.

When the Lifeboat located the stricken vessel, they secured a tow to try & limit the intake of more water and waited for Walton Lifeboat to arrive.

When the All Weather Lifeboat arrived, the tow was handed over to the new crew. Burnham Lifeboat returned to station and Walton Lifeboat towed the elderly vessel back to Brightlingsea.