Heroic lifeboatmen worked waist-deep in breaking seas in a desperate bid to save a stranded boat

Praised - this RNLI boat crew spent hours in the water during the rescue. Picture: STEVE ARGENT 37994-1

The 43ft ketch Nastramo - with her one man crew and a cat - had been en route from Harwich to the West Indies.

It ran aground on the north end of Long Sand, about 12 miles off the coast from Walton Pier.

The steel-hulled ketch was left lying on her side, with the deck guard rails lying almost on the sand.

The rescue lasted for about two hours and the crew worked for much of the time waist deep in water as the waves broke over the stem of the lifeboat.

Lifeboat coxswain Gary Edwards praised the crew for their heroic work.

As the tide rose, the boat was put in a safer position and began to refloat. After an extensive check, she was able to continue on her journey.

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Published Wednesday, September 1, 2004

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