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Sheerness RNLI lifeboat called to upturned craft in River Medway

Lifeboats News Release

The Sheerness RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew were called by the UK Coastguard to reports of an upturned vessel in the River Medway

The crew of the Sheerness RNLI all weather lifeboat, The George and Ivy Swanson, were called and under way at 3.38pm on Thursday 17 November after reports from the UK Coastguard that an upturned craft had been spotted drifting off St.Marys Island in the River Medway.

A unit from the Medway Coastguard Rescue Team were ashore with the upturned craft visible from their position.

A boat from the Royal Engineers Regiment was also in attendance and had managed to get a line on the craft enabling them to tow it to their pontoon in Chatham.

The Sheerness lifeboat was stood down at 3.52pm and was back on station at 4.15pm.

It was later reported that the upturned craft was believed to be a derelict that had broken away from a mooring somewhere in the area during the bad weather conditions at the time.

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]

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

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

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