By Richard Wrigley

Easter celebrations were cut short for the volunteers of Harwich RNLI when they rushed away from their families after a small boat ran aground at the entrance to the River Orwell.

They helped Coastgard and the ambulant service rescue a fisherman needing medical attention.

At 5.30pm on Sunday 17 April (Easter Sunday) the volunteer crew of Harwich RNLI's Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Tierney, Harvey, and Sonny Reid were requested by the UK Coastguard to assist a small fishing boat, with one occupant, which had reportedly run aground on Shotley Spit, at the entrance to the River Orwell. 

The volunteers were quickly on scene, but discovered the boat was high out of the water, and were unable to get close to it. They stayed as close as possible to provide waterside cover while volunteers from the Holbrook Coastguard rescue team attempted to reach the boat from the shore.

Once ashore the fisherman's condition was assessed by the coastguard team and deemed to be in need of specialist care from paramedics, as they appeared to be suffering from hypothermia.

A Coastguard spokesman said: "We were able to reach the boat by foot as the ground was hard enough to walk on.

"Due to the amount of time he had been stranded and the clothing he was wearing, the man was suffering from the effects of hypothermia. The team treated him for this and waited for an ambulance to arrive. He was then transferred in to the care of the paramedics. Meanwhile we ensured his boat was anchored to prevent drifting away on the next high tide.

"This was the man's first launch of his small motorboat this season and unfortunately his engine failed shortly after departing."

The Coastguard reminded people to ensure your vessel and equipment are in good working order, that you have clothing for many eventualities and a method to call 999 for the the Coastguard in case you need help in an emergency.

Meanwhile, the Holbrook Coastguard were call to help a trapped porpoise off Admiralty pier in Shotley. Full story here...

Fisherman runs aground off Shotley (Picture credit: RNI)

The Harwich lifeboat and crew returned to station at 6.36pm and prepared for their next service.

Lifeboat Operations Manager Peter Bull would like to remind those taking to the water that the temperature is cooler than on land and will need to dress accordingly. 

Whichever water sport or activity you wish to undertake the safety advice has similar key messages:

• Carry a means of calling for help on you, such as a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch. If it's out of reach, it's useless
• Suitable floatation device for your activity, such as a lifejacket or buoyancy aid. For some activities like paddle boarding, a more tailored device would be advantageous.
• Wear suitable clothing for the conditions
• Make sure your equipment is in good condition, especially any safety features
• Check tides and weather before setting out
• Get the appropriate training
• Don't go alone, and if you do, tell someone where you are going and the time you plan to be back
• Look out for each other 
• Float like a big starfish if you fall in the water until breathing under control
• Lots more advice on enjoying the water safely available at rnli.org/safety