Lifeboatmen and coastguards in Essex have been kept busy over the Easter bank holiday.
In one incident, a 12-year-old boy in a friend's inflatable had to be rescued after it was blown out to sea at Jaywick.
Clacton lifeboat was launched after the boy's father became concerned.
He was landed safely on shore but coastguards at Walton issued a warning about the dangers at sea following Friday's rescue.
A coastguard spokesman said: "It's always the same, year after year but one day someone will be drowned."
On the same day, Walton and Frinton lifeboat was launched in the early hours after a crew reported they were lost and suffering from sea sickness in the choppy conditions.
The coastguards were able to place the stricken vessel about 12 miles south-east of Walton Pier following radio transmissions.
The 37ft motor sailing boat, Pellieter with five crew on board, had been on passage from Holland to Ramsgate in Kent. It was found after a lengthy search near the Black Deep No 6 Buoy and taken in tow to Titchmarsh Marina in Walton Backwaters after more than four hours.
Later on Friday evening, the crew were again alerted to a sailing yacht off Walton Pier after its auxiliary motor broke down in choppy conditions.
The vessel, Herbs and Spices, with two people on board was taken in tow to the Backwaters' marina.
Coastguards were also alerted earlier in the day to a couple who appeared to be cut off by the tide on the beach by the Naze cliffs at Walton. When they investigated, however, they were found to be safe.
Published Monday, April 21, 2003
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