A STRANDED sailor suffering from hypothermia was rescued as part of a multi-agency mission after the engine on his fishing boat cut-out.
Volunteer crew members from the Harwich Lifeboat Station were called to assist the Holbrook and Felixstowe Coastguard Rescue teams on Easter Sunday.
The RNLI subsequently deployed its Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, called the Tierney, Harvey, and Sonny Reid at about 5.30pm to the River Orwell near Shotley Marina.
The trio of teams had received reports of a fisherman – not appropriately dressed for the weather conditions - who was stuck in his motorboat after it had run aground.
Upon arrival the coastguard crews were able to reach the man by foot due to the ground being hard enough to walk on.
As a result of the amount of time he had been stranded for, however, the sailor was found to be suffering from the effects of hypothermia.
He was subsequently treated and looked by the coastguard and lifeboat teams until the arrival of paramedics, while his boat was safely secured.
A spokesman for Holbrook Coastguard Rescue team said: “Before setting off please ensure your vessel and equipment are in good working order, that you have clothing for many eventualities and a method to call the Coastguard in case you need help in an emergency.”
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