FOUR people were airlifted to safety after their vessel became grounded.

At 1.15pm on Monday, Burnham RNLI volunteers were tasked by HM Coastguard following a mayday call to assist a 38-metre sailing vessel which had grounded close to Swin Spitway Buoy.

The Atlantic Class lifeboat was launched and upon arrival, found the casualty vessel aground in breaking waves and a wind speed of 35 knots.

A member of the RNLI crew boarded the vessel to establish a tow line.

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

The team attempted to gently tow the casualty into deeper water, but unfortunately in the falling tide it could not be moved.

Colleagues from Walton and Frinton RNLI arrived and waited for the tide to rise.

A spokesman for the Burnham RNLI said: “H.M. Coastguard were concerned about the welfare of the persons onboard the casualty and were, therefore, all safely airlifted to Clacton.

“Unfortunately, due to working in shallow water, the lifeboat from Burnham sustained propeller damage which coupled with the poor weather conditions resulted in Walton & Frinton RNLI escorting the Atlantic Class part way back to Burnham, where they safely arrived at approximately 6pm.

“On their way back to station, Walton and Frinton made a check on the casualty vessel and found that on the rising tide she had blown into deeper water so they took her under tow into Bradwell Marina.”

The RNLI is looking for more volunteers to help “make a difference”.

A spokesperson for the RNLI said: “It's a cold, dark, stormy night. Rain is lashing down and there's 3m waves out to sea.

“Your pager goes off and wakes you. It's 3am and the Coastguard are requesting the launch of the lifeboat; a boat is taking on water and sinking. Three persons onboard.

“You suddenly have an important decision to make.

“Do you ask the Coastguard to call another station for a different, more capable asset? That Station is four times the distance away.

“Time is of the essence. It could be life or death for the casualty.

“Do you authorise the launch of your stations boat? It's a rigid inflatable boat. No protection from the elements for the crew and they'll be right on their operational limits.

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“There's a very real danger things could go wrong.

“It's now a minute since you were woken.

“The crew are still sleeping.

“Time's ticking.

“Could you make that call?

“RNLI Burnham-on-Crouch is looking to recruit an individual into the senior position of volunteer, which is a pivotal role in the overall operation and management of our lifeboat station.”

Find out more at https://volunteering.rnli.org/vacancy/deputy-launching-authority---burnham-on-crouch-503471.html.