We are fortunate being located in Maldon with its nautical connections stretching back to the Roman occupation. Alas the fishing boats have moved down the Blackwater Estuary although coasters still come up to Greens Flour Mill, at the Port in Maldon, and an increasing number of pleasure craft lock in and out of the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation at Heybridge Basin. Some 200 years after it was built boats with suitable keels can still reach the heart of Chelmsford.
Based on the Hythe we have a magnificent view of many of the remaining Thames barges still in use although these days for pleasure purposes. These craft were for many years the 'fetchers and carriers' in the creeks and back waters of East Anglia with Ipswich, Mistley, London, the south coast and Northern Europe.
Our 'local' Lifeboat station is Burnham-on-Crouch which is within the area of Maldon DC but to reach the North Sea from Maldon you have to pass the West Mersea station located near the mouth of the Blackwater Estuary. As a fund raising branch, established in 1951, we are appreciative of the help and support received from the six stations in Essex and especially Harwich, West Mersea and Burnham.
Thank you for taking the time to read the introduction to our site.
Yours sincerely,
Maurice G. Mumford
Branch Chairman
The sea takes no prisoners: the RNLI saves lives.
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