Angler Spends Night in Marshes After Vessel Overturns

Monday, August 24, 2009
Posted 12:13 GMT

Earlier this morning Yarmouth Coastguard received a call informing them that a man had been reported overdue on a fishing trip on the North Norfolk coast.

The man had called his wife at approximately one oclock the previous afternoon informing her that he was at Weyborne, and expected to be home in five or so hours.

Sheringham and Cromer Coastguard Rescue Teams were asked to investigate possible launch sites in the area, and at approximately 08.30 this morning Sheringham Coastguard found a car matching the description of the missing persons at a launch site near Cley-Next-The-Sea.

As they were checking the vehicle for signs of recent use, the owner emerged from the marshes wearing a lifejacket.

Upon further questioning, it emerged that the mans boat had overturned at about 4 oclock yesterday afternoon while attempting to fix the engine, and while he clambered onto the upturned boat, the tide had taken him out and away from the shore. He remained on the boat until almost 9 oclock in the evening, when the tide had carried him back into range of the shore. At this point, with no means of alerting anyone on shore and wearing a lifejacket, he decided to take a chance and swim for the shore.

He made the shore safely after swimming a considerable distance, but as it was dark and he had no idea where he was, he found shelter and spent the night on the marshes before returning to his car in the morning, where he was found by Sheringham Coastguard.

Martyn Miller, Watch Manager said:

This gentleman was extremely lucky. With no-one on shore knowing where he was, and no means of alerting anyone on shore to his predicament, this incident could very easily have ended differently. It is very likely that the lifejacket saved his life in this case.

We would strongly advise that anyone going out to sea in any weather carry not only a lifejacket, but also at least two independent means of contacting either the Coastguard or someone on shore, and also leave a detailed passage plan with someone who can inform the Coastguard if you are overdue.

For further details contact:
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Press Office
023 8032 9401