Lifeboats called to worried swimmers and boat fires (From Gazette)

Lifeboats called to worried swimmers and boat fires

10:13am Sunday 19th August 2012 in Colchester

COASTGUARDS and beach patrol teams were called to rescues and disputes as hot weather saw holidaymakers flock to the seaside.
At 12.46pm Thames Coastguard received numberous 999 calls from beachgoers from Point Clear to Jawick reporting nuisance motorised waterbikes
The bikes were said to be behaving in a dangerous manner, coming close inshore into swimming areas.
Clacton Coastguard and Clacton Beach Patrol invetsgated and the riders were found at Point Clear - the coastguard and the Brightlingsea Harbourmaster offered safety advice.
At  2.33pm the West Mersea Lifeboat went to the aid of a power boat, with eight people on board, with a fire on board in the Mersea Quarters.
The crew were safe and well and had been taken aboard a nearby boat - the fire in the engine room was extinguished before the lifeboat arrived.
At 5.46 an urgency call was made from a 36ft saiing yacht called Charismo with two people on board.

The engine of the boat had overheated at Pye End at the entrance to Walton Backwaters.