Twenty-seven seal watchers rescued by RNLI

Twenty-seven seal watchers had to be rescued by the RNLI after their boat ran aground in Oakley Creek, in the Walton-on-the-Naze backwaters.

After concerns that the vessel would capsize, and with very heavy rain and no cover available for the passengers, the RNLI decided to evacuate the passengers onto the Walton and Frinton Lifeboat and return them to Harwich Harbour.

It was clear that the vessel was going to take some time to refloat so while the casualties were returned to where they started, at Ha’Penny Pier, the three crew members stayed with the boat in order to re-float on the next tide.

This was the first service for Harwich crew member Jamie Kemp, who recently passed his initial training and assessments to go afloat.

“I feel like it was a good start for me, obviously I was with a brilliant crew, and Walton lifeboat was incredible. Glad everyone was safe,” says Kemp.