Callout No. 8

4^th October 2018

Aldeburgh's All-Weather Lifeboat (ALB), ‘Freddie Cooper’, was launched on Thursday (4 th ) responding to a Mayday call for a yacht, that was in difficulty south of Aldeburgh. At 5.10pm, there was a UK Coastguard request to launch the ALB to a yacht, with two persons on board, one who was experiencing severe sea sickness. The yacht had an overheated engine and when the crew tried to raise a sail, a rope became jammed. On arrival at scene, at 5.40pm, the situation was assessed by the lifeboat crew. The yacht crew member had been unwell for nearly two hours and it was apparent that his situation would not improve by remaining on the yacht. He was transferred onto the lifeboat, where he was given casualty care assistance.

Whilst returning to station with the unwell crew member, UK Coastguard requested Lowestoft Lifeboat launch to give assistance to the yacht, which was returning to Lowestoft. On arrival to Aldeburgh Lifeboat Station, lifeboat crew continued to administer care. The casualty recovered and was taken to rejoin his boat in Lowestoft. In the meantime, a workboat, which was nearby, volunteered to escort the yacht. On arrival to the casualty, a Lowestoft lifeboat crew member was put onboard to help lower the sail and to rig a tow. Sea conditions improved as the tide turned and the yacht was brought in safely to Lowestoft, just before 10.30pm.

The yacht crew member, who had severe sea sickness, said he couldn't thank both crews enough for they what did for him. Aldeburgh ALB was back on station at 6.07pm.

Callout No. 7

9^th September 2018

Aldeburgh's All-Weather Lifeboat (ALB), ‘Freddie Cooper’, was launched on Sunday (9 th ) afternoon to a 32-foot yacht, with one person onboard. They had called for assistance, as they were reported to be struggling to make headway, as they were going against the tides and winds South of Aldeburgh. At 2.31pm there was a UK Coastguard request to launch the ALB to assist the casualty. On arrival at scene, off Orford Ness, at 3.12pm, it was found that the casualty had the sail wrapped around the mast and only enough fuel to get to safe haven.

A heaving line was sent across and the casualty was taken under tow and headed towards the River Ore. On arrival at the river’s mouth, the state of the tides meant there was not enough depth of water for the casualty to be taken into the river, so was unsafe. At 5.30pm it was decided to continue towing the casualty to Harwich. On arrival at the entrance of Harwich harbour, the yacht was released and was able to use it’s engine to head for safe haven. The ALB then departed Harwich to return to Aldeburgh. Just before returning, Harwich Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) had been tasked to search and rescue a drifting yacht nearby, so while enroute back to Aldeburgh, the ALB stopped to see if they needed assistance. Harwich ILB had successfully located the casualty and had them under tow, so the ALB continued their journey back to station.

The ALB was back on station at 9pm.

Callout No. 6

24^th August 2018

Aldeburgh's All-Weather Lifeboat (ALB), ‘Freddie Cooper’, was launched at 7.40am to a 21-foot sailing vessel. There was one person onboard. They were struggling against wind and tide, South of Aldeburgh.

At 7.25am there was a UK Coastguard request to launch the ALB to assist the casualty. On arrival at scene, South of the Whiting Bank, it was found that the casualty was having problems making way against the wind and tide. The wind state was 3-4 and sea state had reduced to slight chop. On departing the scene at 8.35am the casualty was escorted to safe haven in the River Ore. The ALB departed the casualty at 9.05am and returned to station.

Once the ALB was recovered on to the beach and refuelled, it was returned into service.

Callout No. 4   Callout No. 5

30^th July 2018

Personal Locator Beacon helps Aldeburgh RNLI volunteers save kite surfer’s life

Aldeburgh's inshore lifeboat (ILB), Susan Scott, launched on Monday evening to a kite surfer drifting out to sea. The all-weather lifeboat (ALB), Freddie Cooper, launched soon after a ‘man overboard alert.’ Both lifeboats were responding to the same incident. The kite surfer was drifting out to sea after his lines were tangled and he was unable to relaunch. He then lost his board and entered the water activating his personal locator beacon (PLB) which sent an alert to the UK coastguard, who then informed the volunteer crew from Aldeburgh RNLI.As the lifeboat crew arrived on scene in the dark, the strobe light on the PLB helped the crew to locate the man in the water. The distressed kite surfer had then been in the water for 45 minutes.

Aldeburgh’s second coxswain, Karl Barber, spoke of the rescue: ‘If it wasn’t for the personal locator beacon showing up on the lifeboat’s automatic identification system, the kite surfer would have been very difficult to see in the water. It was dark and there was a real risk of not immediately finding him. The kite surfer shared that his mother persuaded him to buy the personal locator beacon, the best £200 he has ever spent. It helped save his life.’ Nick Ayers, RNLI Community Safety Partner, said: ‘The sea is unpredictable and one of the biggest dangers with kitesurfing is going alone or in rough weather conditions. Taking some simple steps to stay safe will reduce your chances of getting into trouble. We advise kite surfers go out with a friend or take a means of calling or signalling for help, like a personal locator beacon. Never ride out further than you can swim back. Be prepared, check the conditions and tides, and don't go out in conditions you can't handle. Visit rnli.org.uk for the latest safety advice to help you get the most out of the sport you love.’

The volunteer crew pulled the kite surfer on board the lifeboat and returned him to shore into the care of Shingle Street Coast Guards and Ambulance crew. The crew returned to station at around 10.40pm.

Callout No. 4

30^th July 2018

Aldeburgh RNLI Lifeboat Launched to a Drifting Yacht

Aldeburgh's All-Weather Lifeboat (ALB), ‘Freddie Cooper’, was launched on Monday (30th) afternoon to a 37 foot yacht. There were two crew onboard, one was sea sick. They had called for assistance as they were reported to be struggling to make headway and were drifting, South of Aldeburgh.

At 2.18pm there was a UK Coastguard request to launch the ALB to assist the casualty. On arrival at scene at 3.05pm, it was found that the casualty had engine and electrical failure, so had total loss of power. UK Coast Guard had requested the casualty crew set an anchor to avoid further drifting. One ALB crew boarded the casualty to assist them and remained onboard throughout the rescue. Due to the power failure the anchor winch would not work, so the anchor was lost. The casualty was taken under tow and headed to Shotley Marina, arriving at 6pm. On arrival at Shotley Marina, the casualty was secured, ensuring the crew onboard were safe. The ALB then departed Shotley to return to Aldeburgh.

The ALB was back on station at 8pm.

Callout No. 3

22^nd July 2018

Aldeburgh's Inshore Lifeboat (ILB), 'Susan Scott', was launched to a report of a seven metre rigid inflatable boat (RIB), with one person on board which had run aground South of Aldeburgh

At 3:56pm there was a UK Coastguard request to launch, with the decision to launch the ULB soon after this, into the River Alde, with the intent of searching the areas as it was unclear where the casualty was. Shingle Street volunteer Coast Guards were also task to assist in the search. It was later reported that the casualty was on the sea side approximately 2.5 miles South of Orford Ness Lighthouse. On arrival at scene, the ULB crew assessed that the RIB had broadsided, while trying to beach and had been swamped with sea water.

The ILB Crew pumped out some of the water and assisted in re-floating the casualty. The RIB crewman was happy to continue his journey and seeing that he was safe, the ILB was stoo down and returned to station at 6:15pm