Thames Coastguard requested the Burnham RNLI Inshore Lifeboat to launch to the 13.2 metre fishing vessel Rebbecan, PW406. The vessel was aground in the River Crouch to ensure all was well onboard and offered safety advice before returning to station. The vessel refloated and was escorted by the Harbour Launch to the entrance of the River Crouch.
On the same day Thames Coastguard received a mayday distress call from the same vessel stating that they thought that they had engine failure and were aground on the Foulness Sands. Burnham Lifeboat was requested to launch again and Bradwell Coastguard Rescue Team were sent to assist.
After the investigation it was found that the vessel had not suffered engine failure, but that alarms were sounding because it had grounded again. The lifeboat crew restarted the Rebeccans engines and began to escort her to Burnham Yacht Harbour. However, shortly afterwards one of the crew from Rebeccan became unwell and was evacuated by the lifeboat to the yacht harbour and an awaiting ambulance.
The safety of the crew onboard the Rebeccan is very much important but unfortunately one of them had very little experience and one did not have at all. So the coastguard advised that before going to sea make sure that the crew are adequately trained and experienced.
