The crew of motor yacht Carpe Diem had to be rescued by the RNLI and RAF last week after the vessel suffered engine failure five miles east of Walton, Essex.

The Frinton Tyne class lifeboat Kenneth Thelwall II was launched on Monday 21 June at 1309 to assist the vessel and a female member of the crew who had injured her spine falling down a hatch way.

An RAF Search and Rescue helicopter from RAF Wattisham in Suffolk
(Rescue 125) which was on exercise in the area was also diverted to the
incident. On arrival the lifeboat placed two crewmembers on board the
yacht and towed the craft head to wind to assist the transfer of the
injured female to the helicopter.

This was accomplished and the
casualty flown directly to Ipswich Hospital. The lifeboat continued the
tow of the yacht to Levington Marina on the River Orwell and after
ensuring the craft was safely moored, returned to the lifeboat station
being ready for service once again at 1700.