CLACTON’S volunteer lifeboat crew launched three times in 12 hours following concerns for a kite surfer in Frinton and a person spotted in the water in Jaywick.

Clacton RNLI’s Atlantic 85 and D Class inshore lifeboats were called to the incidents by the UK Coastguard.

The Atlantic lifeboat was launched at 1.15pm on Tuesday to reports that a kite surfer was in difficulty in the sea off Connaught Avenue, Frinton.

Spokesman Richard Wigley said: “On reaching the Frinton Golf Course the crew spotted a kite surfer making their way up a launch ramp and stopped to investigate “The surfer confirmed that they had been out in the sea, but were perfectly OK.

“On leaving, the crew believed that this was the kite surfer reported, but as the details were not comprehensive decided it would be prudent to finish checking the coastline to the pier at Walton in case there was another kite surfer who may be in difficulty before returning to station, arriving back at 2pm.”

Both lifeboats were launched simultaneously to different incidents in the early hours on Wednesday.

Clacton’s D Class lifeboat was tasked to an incident at Clacton Pier while the Atlantic class lifeboat was launched to a report of a person entering the water at Jaywick.

Mr Wigley said: “On route to the pier the D Class lifeboat was re-tasked to assist with the search off Jaywick as Essex Police had the incident at the pier under control.

“Both boats searched for the missing person along with UK Coastguard mobile units from Clacton. “Nothing was found and all units were stood down just after 2am, with further enquiries ongoing by UK Coastguard into the report received.”

He added: “Just like the volunteer crews of the other 237 stations covering the 19,000 miles of coastline, and major waterways, whatever the time of day, they are willing to drop everything to go to the aid of someone in trouble, 365 days of the year.”