Littlestone RNLI tasked to two shouts in one afternoon

The first shout commenced just after 2pm when HM Coastguard tasked our charity lifeboat Jean McIvor to a kayaker reported to be in difficulty in the water off Folkestone. Littlestone RNLI volunteer crew were in the process of launching the lifeboat when we were stood down by HM Coastguard as the casualty was reported safely ashore. The lifeboat was returned to station, washed down and marked as ready for service at approximately 2:45pm.

Less than three hours later, at 5:22pm, HM Coastguard tasked Littlestone to a swimmer reported to be in trouble, again off Folkestone. The volunteers from Littlestone RNLI made best speed to the last known location of the swimmer and once on the scene, were informed that he had safely returned ashore.

Before we returned to station the shore-based Coastguard team asked our lifeboat crew to wait and assess the safety of two girls who they were concerned about on an island in Folkestone Harbour. Having checked that they were safe our volunteer crew returned to Littlestone. After our routine shore side checks were completed and the lifeboat washed down and refuelled, the lifeboat was marked as returning to service at approximately 7:15pm.

While the lifeboat was out we took the opportunity do some tractor training with Selina who recently passed out as shore crew and has now advanced to a tractor drivers plan. The tractor we use to launch and recover the lifeboat is a Talus 'Bendy' which weighs in at nearly 10 tonnes. The bendy name comes from the fact that it can articulate or 'bend' in the middle for increased flexibility and manoeuvrability. Selina did a great job and is proving to be a natural at driving the beast.

John Kenny, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Littlestone RNLI, said: 'I'm very proud of the dedication and work ethic of our team at Littlestone. During a difficult few weeks for RNLI volunteers, our crew were busy doing what the RNLI have been doing for over 200 years. When the pager goes and HM Coastguard tasks us we respond.'

'Our crew don't know who needs our assistance and they don't judge or discriminate. The sea can be a horrible place to be in trouble and, if you call 999 for an emergency at sea, we are likely the only people coming to your aid. Our unpaid volunteers are courageous, dependable, selfless and trustworthy and our core purpose as a charity has always been to save lives at sea. This remains our focus.'

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RNLI Media Contacts

John Kenny, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South East, [email protected]

Stella Sims, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for London and South East England, 07483 316675, [email protected]

Sam Haddad, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for London and South East England, 07483 316552, [email protected]

Julie Rainey, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for London and South East England, 07827 358256, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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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