Volunteer crew launched both Harwich RNLI lifeboats to search for two kitesurfers reported to be in difficulties off Bawdsey Cliff at 12.35pm on Sunday 15 November.
Thames Coastguard had informed the lifeboats that one of the surfers had not been seen near his rig for sometime.
On arrival it was established by the inshore lifeboat that one kitesurfer was now ashore, but the second surfer was still missing, as only his rig had been located.
The RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat was joined by the RAF rescue helicopter from Wattisham, which searched further out to sea.
A volunteer crewman on the lifeboat spotted the second person in the water approximately one mile south west of his equipment and immediately recovered him onboard.
A paramedic from the helicopter was winched down on to the lifeboat to assess his condition and after a medical check, the kitesurfer was transferred onto the inshore lifeboat and landed at the Felixstowe ferry to awaiting mobile coast guard units.
