
Sheerness RNLI lifeboat assist a lone sailor who had lost his bearings
The Sheerness all weather lifeboat was called to look for a cabin cruiser lost somewhere in the Medway estuary
The report said that the vessel was believed to be somewhere in the area of Burntwick Island in the Medway Estuary but the exact location could not be given as the lone male on board was unsure of his whereabouts after having set off from the Medway Bridge Marina some time earlier.
After launching the ALB proceeded up river to search for the vessel and whilst doing so received more information that the casualty was possibly near to Garrison Point at the mouth of the river.
Having turned around the ALB crew sighted the vessel off Garrison Point and came alongside it at 5.32pm.
The man on board explained that he was heading for France but had lost his bearings about an hour earlier.
Following some words of persuasion from the crew the casualty decided that in the interests of his safety it would be best if the ALB escorted him back to Queenborough Harbour.
Having arrived in Queenborough at 6.04 pm the casualty was met by the Sheppey Coastguards who were on hand to give him some further safety advice.
The ALB was back on station at 6.28pm
RNLI media contacts
Vic Booth RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer (Sheerness) 07926904453 / 01795 880544 [email protected] / [email protected]
Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.