LIFEBOAT volunteers battled biting wind and sleet as they endured a busy day of training exercises.

Harwich RNLI volunteers put their classroom knowledge to practice, covering winching to and from lifeboats and recovering of a casualty from the water last Sunday morning.

In the afternoon both lifeboats were launched again, to take part in a multi-agency exercise at Shotley Marina.

Teams from a range of organisations took part, including Felixstowe Coastguard, Holbrook Coastguard, Suffolk Fire and Rescue and East of England Ambulance Service.

The Harwich volunteers recovered casualties from the water outside the marina lock gates, and from the rocks at the foot of the sea wall.

A spokesman for Harwich RNLI said: “The day provided an excellent opportunity for the volunteers to pull together many areas of their training in participating in scenarios, and testing their skills and knowledge through use of the boats and equipment.”

Throughout the year the volunteers at Harwich RNLI continually train to ensure they are always ready to assist those in trouble at sea.