
Sheerness RNLI lifeboat volunteers search for missing dinghy.
Sheerness RNLI inshore lifeboat crew were called to assist in searching for a lone sailor in a small dinghy reportedly overdue in returning home
The volunteer crew of Sheerness inshore lifeboat (ILB) Eleanor were called at 5.25pm on Monday 2 May to reports of an adult male in a 15 foot dinghy who had been reported as being overdue in returning home.
The vessel was believed to be in the area of Stoke Ooze Saltings/ Stoke Creek area.
Along with the Medway Coastguard and the Coastguard helicopter from Lydd the crew of the ILB made a thorough and comprehensive search of the area with nothing untoward being found.
The ILB returned to station at 8.25pm to refuel and was called again at 8.45pm following reports of a dinghy being spotted in Yantlett Creek.
The craft with nobody on board was quickly located and was immediately dismissed as being the vessel from the previous incident being of a different size to that reported and looked as if it had broken free from a local mooring.
The ILB towed this vessel back to the lifeboat station in Sheerness Docks where it was confirmed it was not the craft involved in the first incident.
The ILB was ready for service again at 10.08pm
It was later confirmed that the missing person from the first incident had returned home unharmed.
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)ames 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
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