LIFEBOAT volunteers were on hand to help escort a yacht ashore after reports it was struck by lightning.
Clacton RNLI’s crew launched at the request of UK Coastguard to investigate the possibility a yacht had been hit by lightning off Jaywick.
At 8.08pm on Thursday, the volunteers set off into strong winds, launching their Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat into difficult conditions.
They quickly pinpointed the yacht just off the coast of Seawick.
A Clacton RNLI spokesman said: “Once alongside, the volunteer crew established that all aboard the yacht were okay.
“But they were requested by the skipper to escort into Brightlingsea due to the worsening conditions.
“The volunteers duly obliged, seeing the yacht safely into Brightlingsea Harbour.”
He added: “The lifeboat was recovered and ready for service by 10pm.”
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