VOLUNTEER lifeboat crews launched following concerns for a person in the water off Clacton.

Clacton RNLI’s D class inshore lifeboat carried out an extensive search of the waters off Martello Bay after being called to the scene by the UK Coastguard shortly before 4pm on Monday.

It was reported that a person was in the water close to an outfall pipe off Selsey Avenue.

A spokesman for the crew said: “Once on scene, the three volunteer crew members made an intensive search of the area in calm but overcast conditions, but nothing was found.

“After the immediate area around where the person was sighted had been thoroughly searched, the crew proceeded to search along the coastline to a distance of one mile east of Clacton Pier.

“The volunteer crew were then stood down by UK Coastguard as nothing untoward had been found.”

The lifeboat was rehoused and ready for service again by 5.10pm.

A spokesman for the crew added: “It is believed the call was one of good intent but mistaken identity.

“Even though this service came to nothing, we would still urge anyone who sees anything out of place along the coast or at sea to please phone 999 and ask for the coastguard.

“We would rather be called out by mistake with good intent, than not be called and needed.”

The crew conducted the search in the D class lifeboat Arthur Hamilton, which is on station while Clacton’s own D class lifeboat Damarkand IV is away undergoing maintenance.