Two rescued from DIY boat they made for £9
Two men staying at a holiday park in Essex had a DIY disaster over Easter - after taking to sea in a homemade boat costing less than a tenner.
The duo constructed the Heath Robinson-style rowing boat out of scrap plywood, insulation boards and wire coathangers.
But the stunt went wrong after their oars broke and they were forced to call lifeguards as they drifted 200 metres (656 ft) off Jaywick. WORDS: PA
The men, both in their 20s, told rescuers they had spent just £9 on silicone adhesive to hold the boat together.
Joff Strutt, of the Clacton RNLI, said: "A lot of people may have been working on their homes over Easter - but this was a rather hasty DIY project which nearly landed them in trouble.
"They had been out fishing the previous day and decided to give it another go on Monday.
"At the end of the day's fishing, they found themselves too far out at sea. Their oars weren't strong enough and they weren't wearing lifejackets.
"Fortunately nobody was hurt and they've learned a lesson."
The pair called Thames Coastguard on a mobile phone as they were trying to make it back to Jaywick's Martello Beach Holiday Park.
Families were out enjoying the pleasant Bank Holiday weather at the time.
"You can't stop people making their own boats but they need to make sure they know what they're doing and, if you're going to sea, make sure you're wearing a lifejacket," Mr Strutt said.
The boat was later destroyed with the men's permission.
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