Practical Boat Owner: Four men were rescued from a 30ft sailing yacht when they got into difficulties in high winds and a heavy sea near Southend Pier. The crew of the 30ft cruiser were suffering from cold and sea sickness.

Sheerness all weather lifeboat ‘George and Ivy Swanson’ launched at 1.57pm yesterday following a report that the yacht ‘Mirrorcles II’ was unable to make way and its crew were experiencing cold and sea sickness.

Under the command of coxswain Robin Castle, the lifeboat located the casualty with four men on board, approximately half a mile south of Southend Pier, Thames Estuary.

Southend ‘Atlantic’ lifeboat was already on scene and had transferred one crewmember to the craft.

A Sheerness volunteer was also transferred on board and a tow was established for the journey across the Thames Estuary in force seven South Westerly winds and a heavy sea to Queenborough harbour.

After securing the craft on a mooring at Queenborough the four casualties were taken back to Sheerness lifeboat station for warmth and hot refreshments before being picked up by relatives.

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