A fox, a disabled yacht and two kayakers keep Margate RNLI volunteers busy
Margate’s volunteer lifeboat crew have been kept busy answering three calls in as many hours today responding to a variety of requests for assistance.
The D class inshore lifeboat was tasked around 9.30am today (Thursday 16 April) following reports of a fox in the sea off Westbrook Bay. Fortunately, the fox decided it was more at home on dry land and made its way ashore before the lifeboat launched.
Around midday the B class lifeboat was tasked to assist a 10m long yacht with two persons on board which had experienced engine and sail failure around two miles northeast of North Foreland.
With the lifeboat’s arrival it was assessed that the best way to assist was to tow the vessel to Ramsgate harbour, the occupants were unharmed after their experience.
During its return passage to station, the lifeboat was diverted after HM Coastguard received a report from a family member ashore of two kayakers unable to make it back to shore around a mile off Palm Bay. The casualties were quickly located and safely returned to shore unharmed and the lifeboat returned to station.
Main body
Notes to editors
· Margate lifeboat station has been operating since 1860. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/margate-lifeboat-station
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact:
· Peter Barker, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07974 064304 or [email protected]
· Hatti Mellor, Regional Communications Manager on 07724 801305 or [email protected]
· RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.