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Joint operation rescues ten fishermen off north Kent coast

Lifeboats News Release

A joint operation by Whitstable and Margate RNLI lifeboats has rescued ten fishermen and saved their boat from sinking off the north Kent coast.

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Margate's all-weather lifeboat and Whitstable's inshore lifeboat were both attending the annual Whitstable Regatta yesterday (Sunday 7 August) when coastguards received a call from a charter angling boat reporting that they were taking in water and in danger of sinking in the River Swale. There were ten people on board the boat.
 
Whitstable's inshore lifeboat provided an immediate response and were quickly on scene to provide lifesaving assistance. As the ingress of water on the boat could not be controlled Margate's all-weather lifeboat was also tasked to provide assistance with their portable salvage pump. The occupants of the fishing boat were landed safely ashore at Harty of the Isle of Sheppey by Whitstable lifeboat and with the extra pumping capacity the situation was soon under control.
 
With the situation stabilised and the boat's occupants safe it was established the boat could be saved and was taken in tow by Margate lifeboat to the entrance of Faversham Creek whereafter the Whitstable lifeboat was able to beach it safely at Hollowshore.
 
Paul Hodson, Lifeboat Operation Manager, Margate Lifeboat said: 'This joint operation demonstrates the importance of having a balanced mix of various lifeboats covering the north Kent coast. Without the rapid response of Whitstable's inshore lifeboat and the additional capabilities of Margate's larger all-weather lifeboat the outcome to this story could have been very different'
 
 
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RNLI media contacts
 
  • Peter Barker, RNLI Margate Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer 07974 064304 [email protected]
  • Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252  [email protected]
  • Sophie Coller-Nielsen Press Officer (London/East/South East), 0207 6207416, 07824 416615 email [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 146,000 lives.

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About the author

Peter Barker
Volunteer lifeboat press officer, Margate lifeboat station

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