Coastguard teams had a busy day yesterday with several call outs on the River Blackwater.

Shortly after 9am, a broken fuel system left two people stranded on a motor yacht.

The West Mersea RNLI lifeboat crew were called to help rescue the pair from the boat Mudslide and towed it from the river’s estuary to Bradwell marina.

At around 2pm, the same lifeboat crew were tasked to attend a capsized dinghy at Bradwell.

The dinghy, with two people sitting on the upturned hull, had its mast stuck in the mud and could not right itself.

The lifeboat assisted in righting the dinghy and followed it as it sailed safely ashore.

Thames Coastguard was alerted by Essex Police just after 3pm to attend St Lawrence Bay after a member of the public had seen three young men stuck in the mud.

South Woodham Coastguard team, Essex Police, Marine Police boat QL11 and the ambulance service went to the scene.

The coastguard team located the three people, who had made it to the shore without help.

Safety advice was given.

At around 4pm, Burnham RNLI lifeboat towed the sailing yacht Nomis, with three people on board, to Burnham Yacht Harbour because the boat was taking in water.

The vessel was lifted out of the water for repairs.