Two calls for Margate’s RNLI lifeboats on a busy bank holiday Sunday
Margate’s two RNLI lifeboats have been busy answering calls for a missing person and eight people cut off by the tide.
Shortly afterwards the missing person was found safe ashore and the search called off. Before the inshore lifeboat was able to return however, coastguards received a report of a group of eight people cut off by the tide at Botany Bay and the lifeboat was re-tasked to investigate.
The group were sighted in a small bay and two of the lifeboat’s crew swam ashore and established that the group was cut off but were otherwise safe and well. The falling tide exposed a safe route around a headland and the lifeboat crew escorted the group into Botany Bay itself where coastguard teams led them to safety via a steep but usable cliff path.
Ian Lowe, deputy launching authority, Margate lifeboat said: “A strong north-easterly wind and marginal sea state made this a tricky operation for the lifeboat crew. We urge people not to attempt to wade or swim around headlands to reach safety. Often it means just sitting it out and awaiting the tide to recede but on all occasions people should dial 999 and ask the coastguard for advice.”
Footnote: Each Friday, ‘RNLI Margate Lifeboat’ will be publishing high and low tide times at Margate for the weekend on their Facebook page.
Ends
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]
- James Oxley, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East)
0207 6207425 / 07786 668825 [email protected]
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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