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Walton-on-the-Naze
31 May 2009
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There has been
considerable slippage at the tower embayment since January, and
the site is worthy of a further visit to record this properly,
in morning light. The free face has grown and fresh cliff falls
can be seen along the whole cliff-line here. |
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What was not expected was
the presence of the Coastguard on the cliff top, and a small crowd
looking down to some trippers trapped on the beach, as high tide neared.
Here a launch, coming south from Harwich, tries to reach the
beach, but backs off strongly in the lively seas. |
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After the launch
came a Sea King from Wattisham, making a number of passes and
hovering close to my position. The downdraught blew up material
from the slides and was a severe hazard to photographer and
camera alike! |
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Eventually an
inshore lifeboat, most likely from Harwich zipped down the coast
and the helicopter then lowered a crewman by winch. |
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The inshore boat
sheltered behind the A-frame Tower breakwater as the man was
lowered to the beach. |
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The helo crewman
was joined by a coastguard, who has abseiled off the cliff and
made his way to the family on the beach. After some discussion,
both men were winched off and the Sea King left the trippers
where they were. This may, or may not, have had something to do
with the prolonged 'moonie' given the watching crowd by
one of the teenagers in the party! |
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The Sea King
prepares to leave, after dropping off the Coastguard member. I
assume the family, now the tide was falling, eventually left the
area. |
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Walton-on-the-Naze
Breakwater Tower coasts cliffs
erosion beaches groynes clay sand defences mobile
slides rotational slumps rescue Sea King Helicopter RNLI muppets |
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