A call for help interrupted the Sheerness RNLI family BBQ

The volunteer crew of the Sheerness RNLI all weather lifeboat ‘The George and Ivy Swanson’ launched at 4.26pm on Sunday 6 August after a call from the UK Coastguard reported that a 17 tonne twin engine cruiser ‘Milford Sound’ had run aground in the Medway estuary.

The cruiser with two people and their dog on board was located at 4.44pm hard aground on a muddy outcrop in Sharfleet Creek.

Due to the low water conditions the ALB crew were unable to assist the stranded couple but advised them of the safest route to take to get themselves out of their predicament when the tidal conditions were right, approximately six hours later.

The couple stated that they were happy to stay onboard their vessel and wait for the tide to float them off.

The ALB returned to station at 5.08 pm after advising the couple to contact the UK Coastguard if they experienced any further difficulties.

Having made the lifeboat ready for launching again the crew were then able to rejoin their families and other crew members back at the BBQ

Ends

RNLI media contacts

Vic Booth RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer (Sheerness) 07926904453 / 01795 880544 vic_booth@rnli.org.uk

Paul Dunt RNLI Press Officer S.E. paul_dunt@rnli.org.uk 07786668825

• Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 tim_ash@rnli.org.uk

For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

Key facts about the RNLI

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.

The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.

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The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland