Callout No. 5

07^th December 2013

Aldeburgh Lifeboat Station launched the RNLI’s All weather Lifeboat ‘Freddie Cooper’ to a Mayday call from a sinking fishing vessel, North of Aldeburgh. The RNLI ALB ‘Freddie Cooper’ was requested to launch at 10.10 am, by Thames Coastguard, to respond to a Mayday call.

A 10 metre fishing vessel was rapidly taking on water and had placed a Mayday call when it became apparent they would have to abandon the boat. While proceeding to the casualty, information was received that the boat had sunk in 3 minutes and the crew had launched their life raft. Southwold RNLI ILB had also been asked to assist in the rescue. A Southwold fishing vessel was near to the scene and was able to secure the life raft until assistance arrived.

The casualty crew, who were shocked but well, were transferred to the Southwold Lifeboat and taken to shore. The RNLI Aldeburgh ALB crew was tasked to make the area safe from shipping hazards, caused by wreckage from the sunken boat. Having recovered all the visible hazards, the RNLI Aldeburgh ALB returned to station.

Callout No. 4   Callout No. 8

19^th August 2013

Aldeburgh Lifeboat Station launched the RNLI’s All Weather Lifeboat ‘Freddie Cooper’ at the request of Thames CoastGuard following a report from a fishing vessel that had found a small dinghy at anchor with no persons onboard approx 7km south of Aldeburgh. It was believed that the dinghy had been stolen from Aldeburgh beach the previous evening, which had been reported by the dinghy’s owner, who was safe and well ashore.

The ALB was tasked to conduct an expanding box search, extending from the dinghy’s position, looking for a possible person in the water. Aldeburgh ILB, Harwich ALB and SAR Helo 125 were also tasked to search the area. After a thorough search, it became known that a further fishing vessel had found the dinghy drifting earlier in the day and had itself put it to anchor, stating he was unable to contact the coastguard to notify anyone.

With no reported missing persons and the area searched, the ALB was stood down and returned to station. On return, further information was received the dinghy may have been pushed into the water by some youths, but this is unconfirmed. A false alarm with good intent.

Callout No. 3

13^th August 2013

Aldeburgh Lifeboat Station launched the RNLI’s All Weather Lifeboat ‘Freddie Cooper’ to a report of a vessel with engine failure, at North Shipwash.

The RNLI ALB ‘Freddie Cooper’ was requested to launch at 15.45 by Thames Coastguard to a call, from the crew of a 54-foot vessel, which had suffered engine failure. The ALB was launched at 15.50. On arrival at scene, the ALB crew passed a towing line across to the crew of the casualty. Once secured, the RNLI Lifeboat towed the vessel. Once at Harwich, the vessel was docked with the help of Harwich Lifeboat, due to the size of the casualty.

Callout No. 7

26^th July 2013

Aldeburgh Lifeboat Station launched the RNLI Inshore Lifeboat ‘Christine’ assist Portsmouth EOD Unit to establish a safety zone. The RNLI ILB ‘Christine’ was requested to launch by Thames Coastguard, to assist Portsmouth EOD Unit in establishing a safety zone around a detonation site, following the discovery of ordinance by a local Auxillary Coastguard Unit.

Once on scene, the ILB remained in the area to make any vessels aware of the detonation. The ILB returned to station once this was completed. The RNLI ILB ‘Christine’ returned to station at 11.20.

Callout No. 6

16^th July 2013

Aldeburgh Lifeboat Station launched the RNLI Inshore Lifeboat ‘Christine’ to a boat reported to be aground in the River Alde. The RNLI ILB ‘Christine’ was requested to launch at 18.12 to assist a boat that had run aground on top of tide. The mobile phone on board had run out of power.

The ILB was launched prior to high tide to get the boat off the mud. As they got to the grounding site, the boat had managed to get themselves off the mud. The ILB returned to station once they had established the casualty was safe. The RNLI ILB ‘Christine’ returned to station at 18.40.

Callout No. 5

11^th June 2013

Aldeburgh Lifeboat Station launched the RNLI Inshore Lifeboat ‘Christine’ to assist a sailing yacht which had run aground in the River Alde. The RNLI ILB ‘Christine’ was requested to launch at 14.40 to assist a yacht that had run aground close to Iken, near Snape, on the river Alde.

After launching and en route, the casualty reported that they had successfully refloated and were making way. The ILB continued to the yacht and assisted them safely through a narrow channel until in deeper water. The RNLI ILB ‘Christine’ returned to station at 15.30.

Callout No. 4

9^th June 2013

Aldeburgh Lifeboat Station launched the RNLI Inshore Lifeboat ‘Christine’ to assist the local Coastguard and Police to search for a missing elderly person. The RNLI ILB ‘Christine’ was requested to launch at 19.20 and were tasked to carry out a shoreline search from Aldeburgh, northwards to Dunwich beach.

The missing person was located sitting in the sea near Dunwich. Due to the sea conditions, the ILB was unable to approach the casualty. As the location was remote, Rescue Helicopter 125 was tasked to airlift the casualty to Hospital. Aldeburgh ILB remained on scene until the lift was complete. The RNLI ILB ‘Christine’ returned to station at 22.10.

Callout No. 3

31^st May 2013

Aldeburgh Lifeboat Station were alerted to a powerboat with engine failure, but were stood down before launching. Stood down at 23.06.

Callout No. 2   Callout No. 2

26^th May 2013

Aldeburgh Lifeboat Station launched the RNLI’s All Weather Lifeboat ‘Freddie Cooper’ and Inshore Lifeboat ‘Christine’ to assist in the search for unaccounted swimmers, at Southwold.

133 swimmers were involved in a charity swimming race at Southwold Pier. Shortly after it started, it became apparent that a number of swimmers were struggling with the tide and cold sea temperature. Southwold Lifeboat and Lifeguard Unit were quickly on scene, but as large numbers of swimmers were still unaccounted for, both Aldeburgh Lifeboats were requested to launch and tasked to search the area, in addition to Lowestoft Lifeboat. After the area was thoroughly searched, the Lifeboats were advised that all swimmers had been accounted for, so were stood down. Both boats returned to station at 17.00.

Callout No. 1   Callout No. 1

4^th May 2013

Aldeburgh’s Inshore Lifeboat, the ‘Christine,’ was launched at 3.35pm on Thursday 4th August, after there was a report of a car in the river at Snape. RNLI Aldeburgh ILB was launched in the River Alde, at the request of Humber Coastguard, to a report of a car having gone into the river at Snape.

Once the ILB was launched it was soon stood down, after it was assertained that this was not the case and other emergency services were dealing with the situation.