Sheerness RNLI lifeboats launched to reports of possible person in the water

The station’s D class inshore lifeboat, Buster, launched at 11.30pm following a request from HM Coastguard. With three volunteer crew members on board, the ILB made best speed to the scene and commenced a shoreline search of the area.

Due to the scale of the incident, the station’s all weather relief lifeboat, Eric’s Legend, was launched shortly afterwards with six volunteer crew members on board to assist with the search.

Coastguard rescue teams and a search and rescue helicopter were also deployed. Police also attended the scene as part of the multi agency response.

After an extensive search of the area, no person was located and both lifeboats were stood down by HM Coastguard at 2.30am on Saturday, 28 February.

The crews returned to station at 3am, where the lifeboats were refuelled and made ready for service once again.

Lifeboat Operations Manager Alan Carr said: “Our volunteer crew will drop everything at any time of the day or night to answer the pager and help save lives at sea. This was a coordinated search involving multiple agencies, and we are proud of the professionalism and dedication our volunteers show every time they launch.”

He added: “We would always urge anyone who believes they have seen someone in difficulty in or near the water to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard immediately.”