Cruiser with five on board aided by Sheerness RNLI volunteers
Sheerness RNLI lifeboat volunteers went to the aid of two men and three children stranded aboard a 46ft cruiser with engine failure.
Sheerness RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat George and Ivy Swanson soon launched and rendezvoused with the cruiser and an RNLI lifeboat from Walton and Frinton, which had earlier taken the stricken vessel under tow.
The Kent lifeboat crew took over the tow at 2.50pm some 12 miles off Sheerness in the area of the South West Barrow Buoy next to the Maplin Sands, in the Thames Estuary. The vessels arrived at Queenborough Harbour on the Isle of Sheppey at 5.05pm. Sheerness lifeboat was back on station and ready for service at 5.24pm.
Sheerness RNLI Coxswain Robin Castle said: ‘Conditions were excellent out in the estuary and this was a straightforward job with no problems. Could I also take this opportunity to remind everybody of Sheerness RNLI’s lifeboat open day on July 3rd when people can meet the volunteer crew of both lifeboats and also have a look around the vessels.’
The lifeboats will be at the Queenborough all tide landing between 11am and 3pm on the day as well as representatives from the Sheppey Coastguards and Kent Fire and Rescue Services plus other attractions.
Ends
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]
• 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 146,000 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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