Lifesavers called to two boats taking on water (From Essex County Standard)

Lifesavers called to two boats taking on water

5:45pm Saturday 15th September 2012 in News By Helen Barnett

LIFEBOAT crew were called to the aid of a family on board a speedboat after it started taking on water in the river Colne.

Clacton RNLI’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat launched to the aid of the 21ft speedboat at about 1.10pm on Saturday, 15 September.

The boat, which had two adults and two children on board, started taking on water after coming out of Brightlingsea.

It was taken undertow by a passing yacht before being handed over to Brightlingsea Harbourmaster.

Water was pumped out before being towed back to Morgan’s Marine.

The volunteer crew returned to station by 3pm, but were called out 45 minutes later after a 14ft inflatable catamaran capsized 50 metres off Jaywick, close to Clacton Golf Club.

Two canoeists helped them to right the catamaran before the D class lifeboat arrived.

The lifeboat checked on the sailors before returning to station by 4.15pm.