A broken down yacht interrupts the Annual Open day celebrations of the Sheerness
The Sheerness all weather lifeboat was called to assist a yacht in trouble off the Isle of Sheppey during the stations open day celebrations
The volunteer crew of the Sheerness RNLI all weather lifeboat ‘George and Ivy Swanson’ were called at 2.32pm on Sunday 3 July to assist a yacht with two persons onboard that was believed to have lost its propeller off Garrison Point,Sheerness.
The crew of the ALB who had been involved in various rescue demonstrations in Queenborough Harbour since 11.00am during the stations Open Day had to quickly usher their visitors ashore to go to the rescue of the 29 foot yacht ‘Kimista’ that was in difficulties off Garrison Point in the Medway estuary.
The casualty was located quickly and was under tow at 2.32pm and safely back on its moorings in Queenborough Harbour at 3.40pm.
Sheerness lifeboat coxswain Robin Castle said :’ I suppose a call out during our open day celebrations was inevitable as we have been very busy with a variety of calls in recent weeks.This was just one of those unfortunate incidents which cannot be foreseen but it did not spoil our celebrations, in fact it added to what was a great atmosphere as most of our visitors thought it was another exercise for their benefit. Well over 500 people were welcomed on board the ALB throughout the day apart from hundreds more who came to see the displays from the local HM Coastguard, Kent Fire and Rescue,the RNLI Lifeguard unit from Thanet and also the excellent display of classic vehicles courtesy of the Swale Vehicle Enthusiasts Club.Our thanks to these organisations and also to the many visitors who made this a very successful day for the crew and the station’
Ends
Media Contacts
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]
· Sophie Coller-Nielsen Press Officer (London/East/South East), 0207 6207416, 07824 416615 [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.