West Mersea and Clacton-on-Sea: The Greek cargo ship Protoklitos was at anchor in the Blackwater Estuary when, on Monday February 7, fire broke out in her engine room and spread to her accommodation. It was a very cold day with a strong breeze, force 6, blowing from north north east, a moderate sea and snow showers. Lifeboats from West Mersea and Clacton, Essex Police launch Alert III, the fire-fighting ship Grey Echo, the tug Fenland, Tiger 2 and a number of other local boats went to her aid and about 60 firemen went on board to fight the fire. West Mersea Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable lifeboat was launched at 1418 manned by Helmsman Peter Clarke and Crew Members Leonard Broadhurst and David Mills; at about 1430 she took off the five people on board Protoklitos and landed them at Bradwell Marina. Clacton's 37ft Oakley lifeboat Valentine Wyndham-Quin, under the command of Coxswain Richard Harman, was launched at 1729 and both lifeboats, together with the other vessels, stood by ready to take off the firemen, if necessary. Twice, because of the very cold weather, the Atlantic's crew were changed.

Both lifeboats were released to re/urn to their stations at 2218 when the fire was reported to be under control. photograph by courtesy of East Anglian Daily Times.