Aldeburgh Lifeboat

• No 12 Date 12/09/09 Launch Time 15.01 hrs Wind Force & Sea State 5 Moderate to rough

Description: RNLI Aldeburgh Lifeboats launched within hours of each other

Aldeburgh Lifeboat Station launched the RNLI’s ILB ‘Christine’ to a report of kite surfer in difficulties, with the ALB ‘Freddie Cooper’ being launched several hours later to a drifting yacht.
The ILB ‘Christine’ was launched at 15.01, following a Coastguard request, in winds of 25mph (Force 5) and moderate to rough water.  A member of the local Coastguard unit had realised that the kite surfer was in difficulty in the rough sea.  The casualty had got into trouble after being separated from their harness and kite.  Although the casualty had made their own way back to the beach, the ILB crew rescued their kite, as it was a navigation hazard and to prevent further 999 calls. The ILB ‘Christine’ crew returned to station at 15.16.

Several hours later, the ALB ‘Freddie Cooper’ was requested to launch at 05.09 to a report of a 28-foot yacht with engine failure.  They had been en route to Great Yarmouth. There were two casualties on board, who were also suffering with severe seasickness.  The yacht was drifting 5 miles SE of the Lifeboat Station in slight seas with winds of 10mph.  On arrival to the casualty, a towline was attached to the yacht and were towed to Lowestoft, due to tidal constraints.

The ALB ‘Freddie Cooper’ returned to station at 11.30.

• No 11 Date 3/09/09 Launch Time 08.25 hrs Wind Force & Sea State 7 Rough

Description: RNLI Aldeburgh Lifeboat launched in high winds to a yacht reported drifting on River Alde

Aldeburgh Lifeboat Station launched the RNLI’s ILB ‘Christine’ to a report of yacht drifting and threatening to run aground on the River Alde.
The ILB ‘Christine’ was launched at 08.25 from Aldeburgh Yacht Club, following a Coastguard request, in winds of 30-35mph and rough river water.  A member of the public had sighted a yacht off Brick Dock on the river Alde, with its sails out since early morning.  The ILB crew, on arriving at the scene, searched the boat thoroughly.  After investigation, they found that the sails had unfurled in the high winds with no yacht crew in trouble.

The ILB ‘Christine’ crew returned to station at 09.45.

• No 10 Date 15/08/09 Launch Time 16.00 hrs Wind Force & Sea State SSW 4 Moderate

Description:Launched to investigate a windsurfer seen by Aldeburgh coastguard to be struggling 0.5 mile off Aldeburgh beach. On arrival found the windsurfer to be a kite lost by a kite surfer that had safely made the shore. The kite was recovered and returned to its owner on the beach.

• No 9 Date 23/07/09 Launch Time 15.25 hrs
  Wind Force & Sea State SSW 4 Moderate

Description:Launched following a report of person in the water 0.25 mile south of the lifeboat station. Upon arrival of the ILB, the person was ashore. ILB crew stood by until the arrival of an ambulance.

• No 8 Date 20/06/09 Launch Time 20.15 hrs
  Wind Force & Sea State Light Airs Slight

Description:Launched following a report of person in the water 0.25 mile south of the lifeboat station. Upon arrival of the ILB, the person was ashore. ILB crew stood by until the arrival of an ambulance.

• No 7 Date 18/06/09 Launch Time 20.20 hrs
  Wind Force & Sea State W 3 Slight

Description:Diverted from exercise to launch into the River Alde to investigate a report of a boat on fire in the Brick Dock area. ILB recovered on the beach, re-carriaged and taken to the launch site. Once at the scene the vessel on fire was found to be 3 persons, from a boat, on the river bank enjoying a summers evening BBQ!. The ILB crew, 2 fire engines, police and coastguard units were stood down.

• No 6 Date 30/05/09 Launch Time 20.55 hrs
  Wind Force & Sea State NE 4 Moderate

Description:Launched to investigate a submerged kayak just off the shore 0.5 miles south of the lifeboat station under observation by Aldeburgh Coastguard. The kayak was recovered by the ILB, taken ashore and a search of the waters undertaken for any possible persons from the kayak. Once the search had been completed and no reports of any missing persons had been received, the search was called off.

• No 5 Date 28/05/09 Launch Time 10.20 hrs
  Wind Force & Sea State NW 2 Slight

Description:Launched to assist a 4metre diving RIB that had suffered machinery failure 4 miles south of Aldeburgh. The crew of the boat had managed to paddle it ashore prior to the arrival of the ILB. Aldeburgh coastguard unit transferred 2 divers back to Aldeburgh in their vehicle, whilst the ILB towed the vessel with the remaining diver onboard, back to the beach at Aldeburgh.

• No 4 Date 11/05/09 Launch Time 11.35 hrs
  Wind Force & Sea State NE 5 Moderate

Description:Launched into the River Ore to assist a 40-‘ yacht that had gone aground on a lee shore opposite Orford Quay. Another vessel managed to tow the vessel off the bank and land the occupants ashore. The ILB crew checked the welfare of the crew before returning to station.

• No 3 Date 08/03/09 Launch Time 12.25 hrs
  Wind Force & Sea State Moderate W 5

Description:Diverted from exercise to investigate a report of a kite surfer in trouble off Sizewell power station. Whilst proceeding, a further call reported that the kite surfer was out of the water. A local boat recovered the kite and the ILB returned to station.

• No 2 Date 15/02/09 Launch Time 12.55 hrs
  Wind Force & Sea State W 1 Slight

Description:Launched to search for a 7 year old girl that had last been seen heading for the beach a few yards from her parents. The Aldeburgh Coastguard unit and members of the lifeboat crew also searched the beach. The girl was eventually located safe and well over a mile from where she had last been seen.

• No 1 Date 21/01/08 Launch Time 13.40 hrs
  Wind Force & Sea State S 3 Slight

Description:Launched to an Aldeburgh fishing vessel that had suffered an electrical fire and had lost the use of its engine. The vessel, with 2 persons onboard, was located 2.5 miles east of Aldeburgh. The fire had burnt out so the vessel was taken in tow back to Aldeburgh beach.