
Sheerness RNLI lifeboat called to a vessel aground off the Kent coast.
After losing steering and running aground the crew of a 40-foot motor vessel were towed to safety by the Sheerness RNLI all-weather lifeboat.
The volunteer crew of the Sheerness RNLI all-weather lifeboat George and Ivy Swanson were called by the UK Coastguard at 10.05pm on 26 April 2017 to reports that a 40 foot motor vessel Perche No had lost all steering and had run aground.
Initial reports were that the craft was in the area of the Kentish flats close to the offshore windfarm complex.
While on route the details were updated and the craft was eventually located some 19 miles from the Sheerness lifeboat station in the area of the No 2 Princes channel buoy not far from the last call the all weather lifeboat attended when they were called to extinguish a fire on the Princes No5 buoy.
Having made contact with the vessel, which had been travelling from London to Ramsgate and finding that the crew of four elderly men were suffering badly from seasickness, the decision was made to tow the craft back to Whitstable Harbour where it was secured at 02.20am
The ALB returned to station at 03.05am
Ends
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