Callout No. 5

19^thDecember 2020

RNLI Aldeburgh lifeboat launched to a person in difficulty in the river. RNLI Aldeburgh inshore lifeboat (ILB), the ‘Susan Scott’, was launched on Saturday 19 December, at approximately 4.35pm, following a Coastguard request, to rescue two people from overturned dinghies in the River Alde.

RNLI Aldeburgh ILB was tasked by the Coastguard to launch, following a report of two overturned dinghies in the River Alde, with one person in difficulty. Once on scene the lifeboat crew searched the area and found a dinghy onshore. It had a damaged sail, was tied securely, but no sign of the crew or the second casualty. While the local volunteer coastguard team searched the area, the ILB continued to search the river, before heading back towards the yacht club. The ILB crew made contact with the second casualty, who advised they had tied off the damaged boat, with the casualty crew returning together in the second boat. As both casualty crew were safe and well, the ILB was stood down and returned to station.

Callout No. 6

29 ^st September 2020

RNLI Aldeburgh lifeboats launched to a sinking fishing vessel RNLI Aldeburgh all-weather lifeboat (ALB), the ‘Freddie Cooper’ was launched on Tuesday 29 September, at approximately 6pm, following a Coastguard request, to a report of a fishing boat taking on water, 6 miles East of Aldeburgh.

 

The RNLI Aldeburgh ALB, while preparing to launch on exercise at 6pm, was tasked by the Coastguard, to rescue a fishing boat from Orford, that was taking on water. Another fishing vessel was alongside the casualty at the time. The casualty crew had donned their life jackets and prepared the life-raft in case it was needed. The ALB was launched and arrived on scene at 6.48pm. One of the ALB crew and the portable salvage pump was placed on board. Once the pump was in position, all the boats made slow passage to Orford Haven, arriving at 8.45pm. The RNLI Aldeburgh inshore lifeboat (ILB), ‘Susan Scott’, was launched at 8.23pm to rendezvous with the ALB at the entrance of the river and escorted the casualty to a boat yard for repairs.

The Coxswain, Steven Saint, said “A great team effort by all, thankfully ended well, but could have been a very different outcome”.

The ALB was stood down and returned to station at 9.50pm and the ILB recovered at 10.25pm.

Callout No. 5

5 ^st September 2020

RNLI Aldeburgh lifeboat launched to a motor boat with engine problems. RNLI Aldeburgh all-weather lifeboat (ALB), the ‘Freddie Cooper’ was launched on Friday 5 September, at approximately 5.25pm, following a Coastguard request, to a report of a 34 foot boat with engine and electrical problems, 5 miles North-east of Aldeburgh.

 

The RNLI Aldeburgh ALB was tasked by the Coastguard at 5.11pm to launch, after a report of a motor boat with total engine and electrical failure. The casualty crew had tried, unsuccessfully, to resolve the issues, before calling the Coastguard for assistance. The ALB was launched at 5.25pm and on arrival at scene, the ALB crew found the casualty was rapidly drifting eastwards, as they were unable to drop the anchor. After discussions with the casualty crew, it was decided that they would need to be towed to safety. The ALB crew attached a tow line and proceeded towards Southwold. On arrival at Southwold harbour, the casualty was taken to a safe mooring.

The ALB was stood down and returned to station.

Callout No. 4

31 ^st August 2020

RNLI Aldeburgh lifeboat launched to a boat that had hit an obstruction.RNLI Aldeburgh all-weather lifeboat (ALB), the ‘Freddie Cooper’ was launched on Monday 31 August, at approximately 5.20am, following a Coastguard request, to a report of a 24 foot boat unable to manoeuvre, 10 miles East of Aldeburgh.

 

The RNLI Aldeburgh ALB was tasked by the Coastguard at 5.20am to launch, after a report of a 24 foot boat unable to manoeuvre, having possibly hit an obstruction. The ALB was launched at 5.20am and on arrival at scene, the ALB crew found the casualty had managed to free themselves of the obstruction and was underway. The crew of the casualty reported that they were taking on water, after hitting the obstruction, but their pumps were coping. At 6.20am, the casualty crew confirmed the vessel was safe to continue their journey. It was agreed that the ALB would remain with the casualty for 30 minutes, to monitor their progress and to check it was safe for them to continue. On further checks, the crew of the casualty reported that the pumps were coping with the water ingress, so were safe to continue to their destination.

The ALB was stood down and returned to station.

Callout No. 3

28 ^st August 2020

RNLI Aldeburgh lifeboat launched to a boat with engine problems. RNLI Aldeburgh all-weather lifeboat (ALB), the ‘Freddie Cooper’ was launched on Friday 28 August, at approximately 6pm, following a Coastguard request, to a report of a 40 foot boat with fuel and engine problems, 8 miles East of Aldeburgh.

 

The RNLI Aldeburgh ALB was tasked by the Coastguard at 5.45pm to launch, after a report of a sailing boat with fuel and engine problems. The ALB was launched at 6pm and on arrival at scene, the ALB crew found the casualty was making slow progress, as their crew had been unable to use the engine. One member of the crew was also suffering with sea sickness. It was decided that the casualty would need to be towed to safety. The ALB crew attached a tow line and proceeded towards Harwich. On arrival at Shotley, the casualty was handed over to the local Coastguard team for safe mooring.

The ALB was stood down and returned to station.

Callout No. 4

1²⁴August 2020

RNLI Aldeburgh lifeboat launched to a report of a person drifting in the water. RNLI Aldeburgh inshore lifeboat (ILB), the ‘Susan Scott’, was launched on Monday 24 August, at approximately 1.30pm, following a Coastguard request, to search for a person drifting in the water, north of Aldeburgh.

RNLI Aldeburgh ILB was tasked by the Coastguard to launch, following a report of a person in the sea off Sizewell, drifting towards Thorpeness. Once on scene, the lifeboat crew, while liaising with the local Coastguard team, proceeded to search the area. After a thorough search, it was concluded that the initial informant had seen buoys in the area, so was seen as a false alarm with good intent. Once this was confirmed with the Coastguard, the ILB was stood down and returned to station.

Callout No. 2

7 ^st August 2020

RNLI Aldeburgh lifeboat launched to a motor boat in difficulties. RNLI Aldeburgh all-weather lifeboat (ALB), the ‘Freddie Cooper’ was launched on Friday 7 August, at approximately 3.40pm, following a Coastguard request, to a report of a motor boat with gear box failure, north of Aldeburgh.

 

The RNLI Aldeburgh ALB was tasked by the Coastguard at 3.28pm to launch, after a report of a motor boat that was drifting, as a result of gear box failure. The ALB was launched at 3.40pm and on arrival at scene, the ALB crew found the casualty drifting and unable to restart the engine. It was decided that the casualty would need to be towed to safety. The ALB crew attached a tow line and proceeded to Southwold. On arrival at Southwold harbour, the casualty was safely secured to the town quay.

The ALB was stood down and returned to station.

Callout No. 3

1²³July 2020

RNLI Aldeburgh lifeboat launched to rescue kitesurfers in difficulties. RNLI Aldeburgh inshore lifeboat (ILB), the ‘Susan Scott’, was launched on Thursday 23 July, at approximately 8.36pm, following a Coastguard request, to an initial report of six windsurfers in difficulties at the mouth of the River Ore, at Shingle Street.

RNLI Aldeburgh ILB was tasked by the Coastguard to launch, following a report of six windsurfers in difficulties, following a change in weather conditions. On arrival at scene, it became apparent that there were five casualties, who were kite surfers. Two of the casualties were on a small knoll near the Haven Buoy, two were the river mouth and the fifth had been swept up river due to the change in tide. All were eventually rescued and handed over into the care of the local Coastguard team. Once they were all safely onshore, the ILB was stood down and returned to station at 10.30pm.

Callout No. 2

1¹July 2020

RNLI Aldeburgh lifeboat launched to cruiser with engine failure. RNLI Aldeburgh inshore lifeboat (ILB), the ‘Susan Scott’, was launched on Wednesday 1 July, at approximately 1.55pm, following a Coastguard request, to assist in the rescue of two people, on a 21 foot cabin cruiser with engine failure, east of Orford Lighthouse.

RNLI Aldeburgh ILB was tasked by the Coastguard to launch, following a report of two people on a cabin cruiser, with engine failure and drifting off Orford Lighthouse. Once on scene the lifeboat crew assessed the situation and passed a tow rope over to the casualty, so they could be towed to Orford Quay. The harbour master at Orford contacted the Coastguard, advising that they would meet the casualty and lifeboat, at the mouth of the River Ore, in order to take over the tow. Once the casualty was safely under tow by the harbour master’s launch chantry, the ILB was stood down and returned to station..

Callout No. 1

22 ^st June 2020

RNLI Aldeburgh lifeboats launched to a kite surfer in difficulties. RNLI Aldeburgh all-weather lifeboat (ALB), the ‘Freddie Cooper’ was launched on Monday 22 June, at approximately 4pm, following a Coastguard request, to a report of a kite surfer in distress in the water, off Shingle Street, south of Aldeburgh. .

The RNLI Aldeburgh ALB was tasked by the Coastguard at 3.46pm to launch, after a report of a kite surfer struggling in the sea, after their harness had broken. The ALB was launched at 4pm and on arrival at scene, the ALB crew found the casualty drifting out to sea. They were able to find the casualty due to the brightly coloured kite. The casualty was taken onboard, along with the kite equipment. In order for the casualty to be returned to shore, Aldeburgh in-shore lifeboat (ILB), the ‘Susan Scott’, was also launched. Once alongside the ALB, the casualty was transferred to the ILB and eventually handed into the care of the local Coastguard team.

The ALB and ILB were stood down, once the casualty was safely onshore, and they returned to station.

Shortly after returning to station, the ILB was tasked again to rescue a young person, in the water, in the River Alde. However, it was stood down as the casualty was rescued by a passing boat.

Callout No. 1

29^th May 2020

RNLI Aldeburgh lifeboat launched to stranded dinghy. RNLI Aldeburgh inshore lifeboat (ILB), the ‘Susan Scott’, was launched on Friday 29th May, at approximately 9.15pm, following a Coastguard request, to assist in the rescue of two people, in a dinghy, stuck in mud in the River Alde area. RNLI Aldeburgh inshore lifeboat (ILB), the ‘Susan Scott’, was launched on Wednesday 6th November, at approximately 3.25pm, following a Coastguard request, to assist in the search for a missing person in the River Alde area.

RNLI Aldeburgh ILB was tasked by the Coastguard to launch, following a report of two people in a 2 metre inflatable dinghy, stranded on the banks of the River Alde. Once on scene the lifeboat crew were kept on standby, liaising with the local coastguard teams onshore. As the casualties could not be rescued from the river and one had a recent injury, Felixstowe Mud Rescue Team and an ambulance were also tasked to assist in the rescue. Once the casualties were safely onshore, the ILB was stood down and returned to station at 00.20am.

Please remember, as advised by the RNLI, if you are planning to go on the river or sea, check the weather and tides and don’t use inflatables.