Harwich windsurfer in distress rescued from seawater

Harwich RNLI Lifeboat Station, in The Quay, was visited by a member of the public on Tuesday worried for the welfare of a person near Stone Pier.

Before long, lifeboat crew members and the Harwich Haven Authority were being inundated with calls from witnesses reporting similar concerns.

The crew's volunteers decided to initiate the launch of an inshore lifeboat shortly after midday.

As the vessel was being lowered into the water, however, the station was informed the windsurfer and his equipment had been picked up by pilot boat St Christopher.

Stone Pier - Picture: Theresa Hammond (Image: Theresa Hammond)

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The small craft had been passing nearby before diverting in the direction of the struggling man, who was thankfully found to be safe and well.

Peter Bull, lifeboat operations manager at Harwich RNLI, has praised the fast-thinking of residents who did not hesitate to call for help.

However, he has also instructed them in future to make an emergency call to Coastguard teams instead of turning up at the station.

He said: “I would like to thank the members of the public who reported this incident, which because of their alertness meant help was quickly to a person in distress.

“Although the station was manned this time, this is not always the case.

“I would like to point out the quickest and easiest way to report anybody in difficulty in the water is by calling 999 and asking for the Coastguard.

“The operatives in the UK Coastguard’s command centres have the ability to quickly call upon the most appropriate resource for an incident, be it requesting a lifeboat launch, deploying a Coastguard mobile team or simply requesting help from appropriate vessels in the area via radio.

“Ensuring help can be summoned quickly and coordinated effectively from a single point of command.”