Sheerness RNLI and emergency services called out to reports of missing children

The volunteer crew of the Sheerness all weather lifeboat were called at 8pm on Monday 5 September after reports of two children possibly having gone missing from Allhallows beach on the Isle of Grain where they had been seen playing in the water approximately two hours earlier.

After discussions between the coastguard, the lifeboat's Deputy Launching Authority (DLA) and the lifeboat coxswain, due to tidal restraints, the decision was made to launch the inshore lifeboat (ILB), Buster, instead of the much larger all weather lifeboat.

The lifeboat launched at 8.17pm and began the search at 8.31pm in an area between the East Blythe Buoy and the Mid Swatch Buoy.

Coastguard crews from Sheppey and Medway searched along the shoreline whilst Coastguard helicopter 163, which had also been called, conducted a search from the air using infra red cameras.

Nothing was found by any of the agencies and no further reports were received of any missing children.

The lifeboat returned to station at 10.55pm to refuel and remained ready at the boathouse in case the volunteer crew asked to resume the search.

The lifeboat crew were finally stood down at 11.56pm when the decision was made to call off the search

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.

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.