Whitstable RNLI lifeboat assists yacht aground
Whitstable’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Lewisco, was launched at 8.04pm on Friday evening to assist two people onboard a yacht which had run aground in the Swale.
The volunteer lifeboat crew located the 30ft craft aground and listing on Fowley Spit approximately one mile east of the entrance to Conyer Creek.
An attempt to tow the vessel into deeper water proved unsuccessful and the lifeboat was stood down by Thames Coastguard to return to station.
Both the occupants of the yacht remained onboard their craft to await the morning tide.
At 7.32 on Saturday morning Whitstable lifeboat was requested to assist the yacht again when, despite the tide, the vessel was unable to extricate itself from the sandbank. This time, the lifeboat was able to successfully tow the craft into deeper water.
The yacht, which had been on passage from Chatham to Swale Marina in Conyer Creek, was able to continue its journey unaided.
RNLI media contacts
Chris Davey, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Whitstable Lifeboat Station.
07741 012004/ [email protected]
Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]
James Oxley, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East) 0207 6207425 / 07786 668825 [email protected]
For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity 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 142,700 lives.
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